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Issues Involved
Overview
The politics of internet filtering is a complicated phenomenon in Asia. With majority of the nations who practice internet filtering in an attempt to minimize political dissent and to silence opposing voices towards the ruling ideology. Another main reason used to justify internet filtering in the region is nationalism. Filtering is construed to be a positive necessity in order to protect the nation’s security and strength. Religious motivations - to either support one or to prevent the rise of others - is another key factor behind internet filtering across Asia. As an extension of such religious justifications, are the more general moral grounds for internet filtering – such as the blocking of pornographic content.
1. Burma
1.1 Burma's Internet Crackdown (read the full report here)
(Passive protesters: Buddhist monks lead demonstrations against the military Government in Burma)
Burma disappeared from the face of the WWW from 29 September 2007 until 6 October 2007 amidst protests stemming from sharp increases in fuel prices. A method more drastic and extreme than usual Internet censoring activities was taken. SPDS made use of its authority over Burma's Internet connections to shut down online access entirely. The move appeared to be aimed at preventing citizen journalists and their reports of photos and video footages of ongoing violent confrontations between protesters and the military from reaching the outside world. Internet cafes were shut down as well. The military Junta has yet to publicly acknowledge these acts and Burma's state telecommunications company claimed a break in underwater cables. This was an attempt by the Junta to immobilize and disarm the essential communication tools used by citizen journalists: cell phones and the Internet.
During the demonstrations, despite a heavy crackdown on media, and the shooting to death of a Japanese journalist, images of the beatings and shootings of unarmed protesters crossed the world within minutes of the events – all with the help of local bloggers & activist journalists rushed to nearby cafes or embassies with photos and reports. In addition, pictures, footage and commentaries about demonstrations (including evidence of deaths) also managed to find their way to international news agencies via the internet. The massive clampdown of all Internet connectivity was caused by this tremendous outflow of information from within the nation. Proliferation of online Information containing updates, videos and photographs showing the violent suppression of protests had led to global uproars over the military junta's abuse of human rights.
2. China
2.1 Support for Online Censorship
Often referred to as the ‘Great Firewall of China,’ the almost seamless integration of internet filtering into the online infrastructure is reflective of how paramount it is to the state. Reporters without Borders refers to China as the "world's biggest prison for cyber-dissidents." One of the main reasons for this is likely due to the inherent issue of nationalism. The success of nationalism as a justification for the need of internet filtering is commendable. A majority of the Chinese population support the government’s calls for censorship. In the 2008 Tibetan uprising, most Chinese supported their government’s official stand on Tibet and were satisfied with China’s attempts in blocking online content that furthered the Tibetan cause. The prevalent mindset is one which views the West as imperialistic and perpetually attempting to undermine the Chinese history and identity.
Another reason could be that the locally-controlled state media are often portraying negative repercussions of online usage to the masses; examples include gambling and internet addiction. However, an issue that arises here is the impact internet filtering has had on the mindsets of the Chinese. ‘Indoctrination’ of the people is an explanation that crops up regularly in the global media – painting a picture of a population who supports an oppressive government because they have not had the opportunity to be exposed to alternatives like a "free" internet.
2.2 Self-Censorship
While China stopped subsidizing newspapers and magazines in 2003, the state government still tightly controls the media sector. Netizens, journalists and corporations often do not know the exact boundaries for prohibited expression, hence the risk of losing their jobs, and facing civil or criminal liability. This ultimately leads to self-censorship in order to avoid legal and economic consequences. With the proliferating of self-censorship throughout the Chinese population and foreign businesses, the Chinese central government will be able to avoid a forefront picture, and have a much easier time in handling international critics and defenders of free speech. Several MNCs involved in voluntary self-censoring activities and actively aiding China's internet censorship regime include Google, Yahoo and Microsoft. This brings forth a whole series of issues on inherent Western beliefs and corporate ethics involved. Google's explanation in defense of their corporation can be found here.
3. North Korea
Considering its political system and its notorious reputation for being a closed community, the majority of available websites online are devoted to paying homage to Kim Jong-Il, his father and the country. To some extent, North Korea mirrors China in the usage of internet filtering as a tool for constructing and maintaining nationalism. Reporters without Borders (RWB) describe North Korea as the ‘worst internet black hole’. The country's state-created intranet is the prevalent mode of communication and "free" internet is only available to a rare handful of the elites. Internet elitism and the consolidation of power in information within the hands of several is a critical issue in the case of North Korea.
4. Iran
The most pressing issue with regard to Iran is the tightly co-related relationship between internet and politics. Many journalist-bloggers in Iran face the danger of being arrested, tortured and threatened by the authorities when sentiments are deemed to be anti-political or anti-Islamic. The arrest of several renowned bloggers and the shutting down of reformist sites are evidence of the strong political motivation behind internet filtering in Iran. In 2004 and 2008 elections, the government stepped up its internet regulations as an attempt to filter out anti-government sentiments. Although pornographic sites are 100% blocked, it is the anti-religious and anti-government sites in which visitors face the most severe repercussions.
5. Vietnam
Vietnam’s key motivations for internet filtering lie in their desire to protect the integrity of the nation's ruling communist party. Content that would compromise the reputation of the ruling party are of key concern to the local government. One example would be its sensitivity towards criticism regarding its human rights record in order to protect the state’s reputation. In addition, pro-democracy content is also heavily filtered in Vietnam's internet landscape. A blogger who downloaded a file entitled "What is Democracy?", translated it and shared it online was subsequently punished by the state. With Vietnamese regulations stating that Internet management capacity must be in-line with development requirements, consistent measures must also be taken at the same time to prevent internet abuse by the general masses at large.
The politics of internet filtering is a complicated phenomenon in Asia. With majority of the nations who practice internet filtering in an attempt to minimize political dissent and to silence opposing voices towards the ruling ideology. Another main reason used to justify internet filtering in the region is nationalism. Filtering is construed to be a positive necessity in order to protect the nation’s security and strength. Religious motivations - to either support one or to prevent the rise of others - is another key factor behind internet filtering across Asia. As an extension of such religious justifications, are the more general moral grounds for internet filtering – such as the blocking of pornographic content.
1. Burma
1.1 Burma's Internet Crackdown (read the full report here)
(Passive protesters: Buddhist monks lead demonstrations against the military Government in Burma)
Burma disappeared from the face of the WWW from 29 September 2007 until 6 October 2007 amidst protests stemming from sharp increases in fuel prices. A method more drastic and extreme than usual Internet censoring activities was taken. SPDS made use of its authority over Burma's Internet connections to shut down online access entirely. The move appeared to be aimed at preventing citizen journalists and their reports of photos and video footages of ongoing violent confrontations between protesters and the military from reaching the outside world. Internet cafes were shut down as well. The military Junta has yet to publicly acknowledge these acts and Burma's state telecommunications company claimed a break in underwater cables. This was an attempt by the Junta to immobilize and disarm the essential communication tools used by citizen journalists: cell phones and the Internet.
During the demonstrations, despite a heavy crackdown on media, and the shooting to death of a Japanese journalist, images of the beatings and shootings of unarmed protesters crossed the world within minutes of the events – all with the help of local bloggers & activist journalists rushed to nearby cafes or embassies with photos and reports. In addition, pictures, footage and commentaries about demonstrations (including evidence of deaths) also managed to find their way to international news agencies via the internet. The massive clampdown of all Internet connectivity was caused by this tremendous outflow of information from within the nation. Proliferation of online Information containing updates, videos and photographs showing the violent suppression of protests had led to global uproars over the military junta's abuse of human rights.
2. China
2.1 Support for Online Censorship
Often referred to as the ‘Great Firewall of China,’ the almost seamless integration of internet filtering into the online infrastructure is reflective of how paramount it is to the state. Reporters without Borders refers to China as the "world's biggest prison for cyber-dissidents." One of the main reasons for this is likely due to the inherent issue of nationalism. The success of nationalism as a justification for the need of internet filtering is commendable. A majority of the Chinese population support the government’s calls for censorship. In the 2008 Tibetan uprising, most Chinese supported their government’s official stand on Tibet and were satisfied with China’s attempts in blocking online content that furthered the Tibetan cause. The prevalent mindset is one which views the West as imperialistic and perpetually attempting to undermine the Chinese history and identity.
Another reason could be that the locally-controlled state media are often portraying negative repercussions of online usage to the masses; examples include gambling and internet addiction. However, an issue that arises here is the impact internet filtering has had on the mindsets of the Chinese. ‘Indoctrination’ of the people is an explanation that crops up regularly in the global media – painting a picture of a population who supports an oppressive government because they have not had the opportunity to be exposed to alternatives like a "free" internet.
2.2 Self-Censorship
While China stopped subsidizing newspapers and magazines in 2003, the state government still tightly controls the media sector. Netizens, journalists and corporations often do not know the exact boundaries for prohibited expression, hence the risk of losing their jobs, and facing civil or criminal liability. This ultimately leads to self-censorship in order to avoid legal and economic consequences. With the proliferating of self-censorship throughout the Chinese population and foreign businesses, the Chinese central government will be able to avoid a forefront picture, and have a much easier time in handling international critics and defenders of free speech. Several MNCs involved in voluntary self-censoring activities and actively aiding China's internet censorship regime include Google, Yahoo and Microsoft. This brings forth a whole series of issues on inherent Western beliefs and corporate ethics involved. Google's explanation in defense of their corporation can be found here.
3. North Korea
Considering its political system and its notorious reputation for being a closed community, the majority of available websites online are devoted to paying homage to Kim Jong-Il, his father and the country. To some extent, North Korea mirrors China in the usage of internet filtering as a tool for constructing and maintaining nationalism. Reporters without Borders (RWB) describe North Korea as the ‘worst internet black hole’. The country's state-created intranet is the prevalent mode of communication and "free" internet is only available to a rare handful of the elites. Internet elitism and the consolidation of power in information within the hands of several is a critical issue in the case of North Korea.
4. Iran
The most pressing issue with regard to Iran is the tightly co-related relationship between internet and politics. Many journalist-bloggers in Iran face the danger of being arrested, tortured and threatened by the authorities when sentiments are deemed to be anti-political or anti-Islamic. The arrest of several renowned bloggers and the shutting down of reformist sites are evidence of the strong political motivation behind internet filtering in Iran. In 2004 and 2008 elections, the government stepped up its internet regulations as an attempt to filter out anti-government sentiments. Although pornographic sites are 100% blocked, it is the anti-religious and anti-government sites in which visitors face the most severe repercussions.
5. Vietnam
Vietnam’s key motivations for internet filtering lie in their desire to protect the integrity of the nation's ruling communist party. Content that would compromise the reputation of the ruling party are of key concern to the local government. One example would be its sensitivity towards criticism regarding its human rights record in order to protect the state’s reputation. In addition, pro-democracy content is also heavily filtered in Vietnam's internet landscape. A blogger who downloaded a file entitled "What is Democracy?", translated it and shared it online was subsequently punished by the state. With Vietnamese regulations stating that Internet management capacity must be in-line with development requirements, consistent measures must also be taken at the same time to prevent internet abuse by the general masses at large.
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Latest page update: made by thenhuiloo_chloe
, May 30 2008, 12:34 PM EDT
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