Internet

The Internet played a significant role in Egypt and the many other revolting countries in the Middle East this last year. Protests were triggered in Egypt, late January, where young people grouped up and coordinated on Facebook. They protested the government and the government blocked internet sites. However, citizens continued to display information online via Facebook and twitter where people from across the world watched. The revolts occurred with much influence from these social websites and the help of young people with new ideas. The internet is playing a larger role in politics than ever before and is affecting participation, especially in young individuals in their late teens to early twenties.

Political Advertising

Embed examples of political advertising from opposing candidates and explain which one you feel is most effective.

E-Commerce Taxation

Electronic commerce is trade taken place on the internet. This form of trade is hard to regulate because people can buy and sell items across states, which makes taxation difficult. There is nothing telling people where tax money should go and to how much items should be taxed. Websites such as Ebay also foster person to person trades, which produces no money for the states. 
There were $525 Million in lost tax revenues in 1999 as reported by Forrester Research. 11 years later, this number is bound to be doubled. Much more shopping is done online and much more tax money is being lost. The issue of electronic taxation is extremely difficult to regulate because of personal trades and interstate commerce.

Censorship

The most recent and noteworthy censorship issue occurred with WikiLeaks this last year. We don't hear about it as much now, but the website (which may be due to be taken down) releases countless articles about the U.S. Government and other countries. America did not take much issue with it until cables were released harming the U.S. government and employees. Countless governments are on a quest to take down the website to censor what information is released.

Freedom of speech can only be legally detained if the speech threatens national security and/or to people, such as those fighting in wars or extremist targets. The censorship of WikiLeaks is a layered problem because 1. The website can not be taken down due to many mirror sites. 2. There is no threat to national security in many peoples' eyes. 3. The site is run by people of different countries, not just America.

I believe WikiLeaks should be censored because some secrets should be kept away from the public to follow through with positive relationships with allies. However, I also have a soft side to WikiLeaks because people should have the right to know what is going on between world powers. Either way, the website is still streaming documents and is not close to being shut down. No censorship has taken place as of yet, just attempts of censorship. 

Online Print Media

One website I have just started to read is the Drudge Report. I really enjoy the simplicity of the website; a plain white background with many other links. The website updates multiple times daily and features many of the latest news stories. I believe this is one of the best news websites available, coming from a mildly right view, unlike news programs such as Fox.
The Drudger Report is one of those websites that supports the education of millions, bringing together the top stories on one simple medium.
Here is a snapshot of the website minutes ago: