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Freedom of speech is considered a basic human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” 2009). Reporters without Borders, a non-governmental organization that advocates freedom of press, has listed several countries on the “internet enemy list” for engaging in internet censorship; this countries include, but are not limited to, China, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, North Korea, and Vietnam. Interestingly, France is not one of the countries listed.

The French government recently approved a bill that would impose a penalty of up to 3 years in jail and heavy fines against those advocating pro-anorexia websites and publications. Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot claimed that “giving young girls advice about how to lie to their doctors…and encouraging them to torture themselves whenever they take any kind of food is not part of liberty of expression” (Yoo, 2008).

Pro-Anorexic websites, known as pro-Ana sites by their fans, encourage the “anorexic lifestyle” and are focused on maintaining the illness rather than advocating recovery. Viewers exchange tips on how to reduce caloric intake, increase exercise, hide weight loss, and methods of punishment to use on themselves when they have eaten “forbidden” foods (Henry, 2007). Research shows that, even for healthy young women, viewing such websites induces depressed mood, low self-esteem, and increased body dissatisfaction (“Call to Ban Pro-Anorexia Websites”, 2009). Social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace, who are allowed to censor information, have previously shut down groups that were deemed dangerous or were advocating dangerous behaviors; however, they claim that many groups relate to controversial topics and that this alone is not a reason to disable a group. Thus, instead of censoring these groups, they are collaborating with organizations like B-eat to promote ads advocating recovery on these groups so that members are seeing positive messages as well ("Pro-Anorexia Site Clampdown Urged,” 2008).