SOUNDING BOARD is an outlet for opinions on good and crazy things going on at home (wherever I may be). All are welcome. You are not expected to bring anything except your common sense & sense of humor.
'If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get one million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.'
-Robert X. Cringely (from geek wisdom)
SOUNDING BOARD
Thursday, September 25, 2003
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On internet censorship and freedom of expression (or the lack of it) in China
The Human Rights in China (HRIC) reported that another person was arrested in China for voicing dissent over the internet. Li Zhi, a 32-year-old local official from Dazhou, in Sichuan province, has been charged with conspiracy to subvert state power. According to HRIC, Mr. Li was detained on 8 August 2003 and formally charged on 3 September 2003. If found guilty, he could face 15 years in prison (BBCNews.com 24 September 2003).
This is not the first time that the Chinese government had someone arrested for voicing political opinions over the internet. Internet crackdowns and bans seem to be a common thing behind China's red firewall, even to the extent of banning Google (and consequently lifting the ban).
For an empirical analysis of internet filtering in China, this site is worth checking out. See also a BBC article on China's Red Firewall.
Given the openness of web access technology, and the growing open-mindedness of its citizens, the Chinese government will find it increasingly difficult to impose its selective ban on internet access. Two words: human rights.
posted by Allan at 10:06 AM (GMT+8)
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