The Internet and the ‘Axis of (Censored)'

[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Sens John McCain and Jon Kyl, both (R-AZ)]
[Commentary] The free flow of information has always threatened repressive regimes, and dictators have always sought to restrict it. The Internet is a new challenge for these regimes because it empowers with information and speech any person who can access the network. Corporations have made billions in profits leveraging this power. But as valuable as the network is for commerce, it is even more critical for people to learn the truth about what is happening in their countries. By enabling discussion, debate and criticism of our governments, the Internet allows us to practice in cyberspace the essence of democracy. That's precisely why governments that rule without their people's consent fear this power and are fighting the flow of information online. Call them the “Axis of (Censored).” The Axis employs many methods, and regrettably its members are not acting alone. American companies are complicit in the effort to neuter the Internet's democratic promise. We believe that American companies must develop and agree to abide by a code of conduct governing their interactions with repressive regimes, and we applaud the suggestion by some companies that they will consider such a step. The code should adhere to the basic principles of openness and free expression that helped make the Internet the powerful tool of expression that it is today. As a starting point, the code should require U.S. companies to avoid providing products or services that will be used to block political or religious speech, refrain from ever turning cyber-dissidents over to governments, and disclose dealings with governments that wish to use a company's products or services for censorship. There is every hope in the Congress that U.S. companies will take action on their own. But however this problem is solved, it's clear that something must change. Americans stand with those who oppose tyranny, not those who promote it. And that means all of us.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20060221/opcom21.art.htm