2008 Woodie Awards
Internet regulations cripple free speech, democracy
Kellyn Moran
Issue date: 10/30/07 Section: OpEd Page
The Internet has become a facade for progress and change since its creation. It used to be thought that through the Internet, the free flow of information could be a force that-when used properly-could inform and liberate people. Yet, some countries continue to control the medium in successful attempts to keep information that could be used to petition for change out of the hands of citizens.
China is one of the most infamous culprits of controlling the Internet in order to maintain control over the country's people. A system of filters at varying levels (Internet service providers, businesses and local organizations) has created a barrier for information to flow into and out of the country.
Recent pressures have allowed more freedom of Internet access in the country, namely the allowance of news sites such as CNN and NBC to pass the country's filters since 2001. Sites still blocked range from The American Cancer Society, North California Chinese Unit, to the University of Arizona home page, to Web sites pertaining to news about Taiwan.
The government unblocks certain Web sites in Web cafes, where it can more easily monitor Internet traffic and when the news is beneficial for the leadership. This kind of control over the Internet allows the government a grip on public knowledge and is used as a preventative technique to reduce the probability of protests in the country.
Similarly, a virus made Internet communication impossible days after the situation grew out of control in Myanmar.
Some say the government hired a hacker to create it in order to stem the flow of videos, sound clips and blogger posts on the topic of violence and unrest in the country.
In the early days of the situation, the flow of information from inside Myanmar created a media storm.
Photos and videos captured on cell phones and digital cameras were used in news feeds worldwide. Images of Burmese people lined up and linked together to protect their monks during protests made the international community see the emotion behind the situation.
China is one of the most infamous culprits of controlling the Internet in order to maintain control over the country's people. A system of filters at varying levels (Internet service providers, businesses and local organizations) has created a barrier for information to flow into and out of the country.
Recent pressures have allowed more freedom of Internet access in the country, namely the allowance of news sites such as CNN and NBC to pass the country's filters since 2001. Sites still blocked range from The American Cancer Society, North California Chinese Unit, to the University of Arizona home page, to Web sites pertaining to news about Taiwan.
The government unblocks certain Web sites in Web cafes, where it can more easily monitor Internet traffic and when the news is beneficial for the leadership. This kind of control over the Internet allows the government a grip on public knowledge and is used as a preventative technique to reduce the probability of protests in the country.
Similarly, a virus made Internet communication impossible days after the situation grew out of control in Myanmar.
Some say the government hired a hacker to create it in order to stem the flow of videos, sound clips and blogger posts on the topic of violence and unrest in the country.
In the early days of the situation, the flow of information from inside Myanmar created a media storm.
Photos and videos captured on cell phones and digital cameras were used in news feeds worldwide. Images of Burmese people lined up and linked together to protect their monks during protests made the international community see the emotion behind the situation.
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