Censorship is the practice of controlling what can be said or expressed by an individual or organization, by another individual or organiation. The Internet has presented both a ideological and logistical challange when the legitimacy of censorship is examined. Some believe that the internet should be subject to the same type of restrictions placed on other types of mass media- such as radio or television. Others believe that the internet is a more selective style of information transmission, allowing a user to view only things they select- and therefore should be subject to no more legal restriction than person to person speech. These two extreme viewpoints about the validity of internet censorship continue to be weighed by governmental and private administrations. Regardless of weither or not censorship of the Internet is ideologically consistant with American social and governmental traditions, it does present a significant logistical challange to those who seek to implement it. The Internet, due to its lack of centralization, and amazing degree of anonaminity provides a situation unique from any other medium. Transmissions and postings made available on the Internet are difficult to intercept, interpret, and to trace.
