عمادکاربخشآسيب شناسی اينترنت در گفتگو با پروفسور کمالی پور
خانم طاهره ساعدی خبرنگار گروه ترجمه روزنامه خراسان مصاحبه ای با پرو فسور يحيی کمالی پور استاد ارتباطات دانشگاه پوردوی آمريکا انجام داد ه است که در روزنامه خراسان به چاپ رسيد برگردان اين مصاحبه در سايت گويا نيوز هم بازتاب يافت با تشکر از ايشان متن اصلی اين مصاحبه که به زبان انگليسی است تقديم علاقه مندان می شود
Interview Questions responded by
Professor Yahya Kamalipour, Ph.D.
Head of the Department of Communication and Creative Arts
Purdue University Calumet
Indiana, USA
for
Tahereh Saedy, Journalist
Khorasan Newspaper
1. What is your view of Internet in Iran?
As a relatively new medium of national and global communication, Internet is still in its infancy and has not yet acquired the maturity of the traditional media (radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, motion pictures). What is fascinating about this revolutionary young medium is that it has enveloped practically all forms of traditional media and modern modes of communications (telephone, fax, email, voice mail) and even commerce (product marketing, advertising, selling, buying, trading). Furthermore, this medium has enabled people to engage in rapid exchange of information throughout the world. The Internet is a truly democratic and relatively open channel of communication with immense potential to alter social, political, economic, and cultural landscapes of nations and indigenes cultures. In fact, its impact is quite apparent even in the remote villages of Iran where the young people can now surf the World Wide Web and obtain the same kind of information that a young person in Chicago or London can obtain–this is a remarkable phenomenon by itself. Today, information is no longer confined to a particular place (e.g., library, school, or university), location (e.g., Tehran or Chicago), or institution (e.g., profit or non-profit organization). The Internet has broken down the old boundaries in every aspect of our lives. It knows no borders and, being digital, can transmit its contents in a variety of ways from user to user via satellite, telephone, wire, fiber-optic cable, new wireless technologies, and more.
Unfortunately, the availability of Internet in Iran is far less than the developed countries. According to the latest surveys, Internet access in the Unites Sates is 64% from any location (schools and libraries) and 52% at home, in comparison to only 2% in Iran. A survey compiled by Nua Internet Surveys (http://www.nua.ie), indicates that in September 2002 a total of 605.60 million were using the Internet worldwide. Of that total only 5.12 million people were in the Middle East in comparison to 182.67 million people in the U.S. and Canada. Furthermore, the report indicates that 140,200 people or 21.36% population in Bahrain and only 420,000 people or 0.63% of population in Iran was using the Internet. Such statistic for a nation with over 70 million population is indeed disappointing. I am hopeful that this huge gap will be narrowed in years to come because access to the Internet will certainly enhance the overall knowledge base and understanding of national and global issues among the populace, particularly among the youth. This awareness, in turn, will contribute to the development, growth, and prosperity of the nation. Survival in today’s highly competitive and rapidly changing Information Age is dependent on the free flow information and knowledge. Fortunately, the Internet provides an unprecedented educational and informational opportunity to all who have access to it, know how to use it, and can financially afford it. It seems that this technological communication marvel has captured the attention of those leaders who truly care about the future of their nations and understand that in order to compete globally and prosper domestically, citizens must be equipped with current information and knowledge. In today’s global environment, “knowledge is power!”
2. What is your view of e-journalism in Iran?
It seems that e-journalism is steadily flourishing in Iran. Not only most daily newspapers are electronically available online but various individuals, institutions, and organizations have also established their online presence through web sites or electronic publications. E-journalism has certainly warped the traditional modes and forms of journalism. Some of the main advantages of e-journalism over traditional journalism include transmission speed, global reach, accessibility, availability, and interactivity. For instance, today, newspapers have acquired the communication speed and immediacy which was confined to radio and television prior to the emergence and popularity of the Internet. Another advantage of e-journalism, made possible by the Internet and digital technology, is that the authenticity and accuracy of practically any report can be easily and rapidly checked via numerous sources available on the World Wide Web. This means that people can obtain diverse perspectives and viewpoints regarding any given issue and topic in an interactive and timely manner. Likewise, people can refute, clarify, or supplement reports almost spontaneously. Prior to the Internet such a research process would be highly time consuming and difficult.
It is significant to note that most people in the U.S. still rely on television as their main source of news and information. Also, when using the Internet, most people tend to rely on the electronic versions of popular (mainstream) newspapers such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Chicago Tribune, for news and information. Overall, I believe that e-journalism has a bright future and will continue to grow and prosper throughout the world, including Iran. Furthermore, e-journalism will continue to alter the traditional forms, modes, styles, and definitions of news and reporting.
3. Do you agree with the enactment of laws for e-journalism?
Electronic or E-Journalism has the same kind of social responsibility as the print (traditional) journalism. My own belief is that the press—whether in digital or paper format—must have a sufficient level of flexibility and freedom in reporting, analyzing, and transmitting social, political, and economic news and events. It goes without saying that a crucial requirement for an open, democratic, and progressive country is an informed and educated citizenry. Having said this, journalists have also a social as well as moral responsibility to reflect news in a balanced, fair, and truthful manner. Obviously, any falsehood, fabrication, or defamation of a person or institution by the media—whether electronic or non-electronic—must be dealt with through a fair and just legal process.
4. Is there law for Internet crimes in e-journalism in USA?
The word “crimes” has many legal definitions. Although there are no specific regulations pertaining to e-journalism, there are various mechanisms in place which are intended to combat Internet crime and fraud. One example is the Internet Fraud Complaint Center (http://www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp) which is a joint operation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) in the United States. Obviously, it is considered a crime (or cyber crime), if an individual spreads a virus through the World Wide Web which would disrupt the existing computer networks or destroy private or governmental computer files or systems. Such individuals, commonly known as “hackers,” can be arrested and prosecuted for such activities. However, at least in the U.S., providing various political, pornographic, or even hateful contents (hate speech) on the Internet is not considered a crime—although it may be considered a criminal act in other countries. While the Europeans have recently adopted a legal measure that would criminalize Internet hate speech, as of this writing, there is no similar anti-hate speech law in the United States. In fact, there are hundreds of web sites that may fall into hate and pornographic categories. The U.S. congress has several times passed laws to protect children form “obscene or indecent” material, but these laws have been appealed by groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (http://www.aclu.org) and ruled unconstitutional by appeals courts. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of speech, hence any regulation of media contents—including Internet—becomes quite challenging. The courts have determined that the best way to protect the children from exposure to indecent and pornographic contents should be dealt by each state or community and by computer software that would block access to minors. In fact, numerous software are now available that can block questionable materials on the Internet. The courts have also concluded that it is better for the people and the industry to determine what is and what is not permissible than allowing the government to intervene in free speech. For example, public and school libraries normally limit access to questionable web sites by the young people.
However, in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S., practically all arguments pertaining to the freedom of speech and civil liberties have lost their traditional strength and meaning. The Bush administration’s actions regarding the national security matters has resulted in the investigation and arrest of hundreds of suspected Middle Eastern and Moslem individuals in total secrecy and without customary due process under the law. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the terrorist attacks on September 11 mobilized much of the country in the fight against terrorism. However, this wave of “anti-terrorist” activity, all in the name of national security, also launched one of the most serious civil liberties crises in the history of the United States. With the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security (http://www.whitehouse.gov/deptofhomeland), liberty and freedom of speech in the U.S. will be transformed forever. In fact, recent government actions have already eroded much of the civil liberties of Americans that existed prior to the terrorist attacks. Obviously, these ongoing legal and security changes will impact the future of Internet, information gathering and dissemination, and e-journalism in the United Statesp
