According to Amina Mohammed, who is the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations democracy is the of history and culture of a country which cannot be the same. Therefore, every country must establish a model of governance that best reflects its culture and needs. It must handle the government of nation and justice issues in a manner that is acceptable for its community. This article discusses whether the internet is diminishing democracy or fostering it with some examples, and how it can affect the democracy with free speech, and will technology affects the economics of democratic country. However, with the internet, democracy does not diminish.
Firstly, The internet is not diminishing democracy; it is the most powerful tool ever created for promoting democracy. The internet already shows strong signs of being dominated by commercial interests; its impact on democracy will be far different from saying television. The internet is yet another addition to newspapers, documentaries, chat lines, and more. Although under certain conditions, it can enhance democracy, one does not hope that much from it. A piece of most strong evidence that somehow shows that the internet is actively working this way is the existence of hundreds of social networks, internet political action groups, and highly organized international organizations. They exist to inspire ‘netizens’, the person who regularly use the internet. And activities that engage in government oversight and involvement. There are a few examples that should make that point, for example in the US ‘Democracies Online’ has as its aim ‘Promoting online political engagement activities worldwide through networking, outreach and educational experience.’ That mean the people of the US have freedom for using the internet.
Furthermore, for example, in the 2008 Presidential vote, The media inundated the public with internet stories that played a critical role in the Obama campaign’s popularity. Also, according to Arianna Huffington: If it were not for the Internet, Barack Obama wouldn’t be President. It means that the internet also has substantial effects on presidential voting and government. As a result, Use of the Internet and communication networks allows a better educated electoral population to vote. Moreover, The US Department of State has allocated tens of millions of dollars to support internet freedom, especially in the field of circumvention of censorship. As a result, the UN Human Rights Council believes that internet privacy a fundamental right of man and they adopted a resolution for the internet.
Yet the internet may sometimes undermine democracy. Anti-Rohingya forces in Myanmar have used Facebook to spread rumors that spurred ethnic cleansing, according to a special United Nations rapporteur. Such outlets are open to those looking to be susceptible to intolerance, peer pressure and social disaffection. The democracies are in jeopardy. Also, after the Easter bombing in Sri Lanka, Twitter, WhatsApp and other social media platforms were shut down by the government. It means that sometimes, the internet has irreparable damage to democracy or a country.
In addition, free speech promotes democracy. Freedom of expression has long been a core principle in modern democracies. Also The First Amendment in the Constitution of the united states, originally, guarantees the right to freedom of speech for US citizens. According to UNESCO: Successful development of democracy and sustainable long-term growth are inseparable from the principle of free speech. As a result freedom of speech is beneficial for democracy. Furthermore, for example, in Canada, according to The Constitution of Canada of 1982 grants freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The government may lawfully limit freedom of expression to end discrimination, maintain social harmony or promote gender equality. As Article 19 of the Universal Human Rights Declaration guarantees said that ‘ everyone has the right to freedom of speech and expression; this right includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to search, obtain and impart information and ideas through any media and without regard to borders. ‘ On the other hand, some countries people do not have the right to speak and give their opinion about the government of the nation. In this matter, countries such as Algeria country is against the freedom of speech. Due to restrictions of Algeria, any speech that considered to threaten the country will be a criminal and will be punished by the government.
Furthermore, technology has huge growth in development for the democratic country in economic. For instance, in China, online shoppers have been increased gradually by 60 million people, but unfortunately, Chinese people have a lack of knowledge to use new technologies for their future. Also, Mobile Internet was a driving force in the growth of Internet use in China that has been ended in 2013 with 500 million mobile Internet users later on; online mobile shopping has become a big trade for Chinese people to the internet market.
