Final answer:
The Web and the Internet are not interchangeable terms; the Web is a service atop the Internet infrastructure. The Internet parallels historic trade networks yet differs in its instantaneous digital exchange and lack of content regulation. The impact of the Internet on freedom of expression and global media dynamics is significant and multi-faceted.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Web and the Internet are not the same things; this statement is false. The Internet is a global network of computers that communicate with one another, while the World Wide Web (commonly shortened to the Web) is a collection of information that is accessed via the Internet using web browsers. The Internet is the infrastructure, and the Web is a service on top of that infrastructure.
When considering the role the Internet plays in international commerce, it shows similarities and differences to historic trade networks. Like historic trade routes, the Internet connects different parts of the world, allowing for the exchange of goods, services, and data. However, it operates on a digital platform and is more instantaneous, has a wider reach, and its content is not strictly regulated for quality or accuracy, placing the onus on the user to evaluate the reliability of online resources.
The Internet has had significant implications for freedom of expression, commerce, and information sharing, leading to a wealth of legal and ethical debates. For instance, there are discussions about global media access, which greatly benefits countries like the U.S., while also spreading consumerism and potentially objectionable content. The Internet's rapid expansion and its influence on media consumption patterns indicate a shift from its early democratic, peer-to-peer sharing origins.