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About this quote

What does it mean?
Tony Benn argues that focusing on crime and drugs to justify internet suppression is actually a tactic to hide radical political alternatives.
In plain terms
Claims about crime and drugs are used to hide the fact that the internet offers radical political options.
What can you take from it?
Be wary when moral panics are used to restrict access to information and political alternatives.

Where it applies

  • analyzing internet policies
  • identifying hidden political motives

Putting it to work

  • challenge censorship justifications
  • protect access to political information

Questions to consider

  • Is censorship always politically motivated?
  • How do we distinguish between protection and suppression?

Another view

Some argue that restricting harmful content like pornography is a valid reason for regulation.

More from Tony Benn

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  3. I have always said this of Tony: he immatures with age.

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