free speech

New Chinese Internet Document Redlines BS Meter

John Paczkowski in News on June 8, 2010 at 3:14 pm PT

Though it has given no indication otherwise, China would like the world to know that it has no plans to allow free access to online content–Google’s “new approach” to the country be damned. In a lengthy white paper titled “The Internet in China,” China’s State Council Information Office reaffirmed the Chinese government’s longstanding commitment to censorship.

Google to Act on China

Jessica E. Vascellaro, Reporter, The Wall Street Journal in News on March 22, 2010 at 3:00 am PT

Google Inc. is expected to announce its next steps in China this week, according to a person briefed on the matter. The details of the Internet company’s plan, reached after talks with Chinese officials failed to make progress, remain unclear. The person briefed on the matter said the announcement could come as soon as Monday.

Internet Access Viewed as Fundamental Human Right

John Paczkowski in News on March 8, 2010 at 1:31 pm PT

Is unfettered Internet access a fundamental human right? Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton believes it is and said as much during a speech on Internet censorship earlier this year. And it appears that this belief is widely held. The BBC put the question to more than 27,000 adults in 26 countries and got a yes from four out of five, which is nice to hear.

Microsoft: “Don’t Be Evil” Is Google’s Motto, Not Ours

John Paczkowski in News on January 14, 2010 at 2:57 pm PT

Microsoft sees no need for a “new approach to China,” though rival Google has adopted one that has generated quite a response. In an interview with CNBC today, CEO Steve Ballmer said his company has no plans to cease operations in China or take a moral stand on the Chinese government’s attitude toward free speech.

What’s the Chinese Word for Bing? Google Threatens to Leave China.

John Paczkowski in News on January 12, 2010 at 4:48 pm PT

Evidently, Google is taking its informal “don’t be evil motto” a bit more seriously these days. The search sovereign threatened late Tuesday to pull out of its operations in China after detecting a “highly sophisticated and targeted attack on [its] corporate infrastructure originating from China.” Targeted in the assault: The Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists.

Web Censoring Widens Across Southeast Asia

James Hookway, Reporter, The Wall Street Journal in News on September 14, 2009 at 12:05 am PT

Attempts to censor the Internet are spreading to Southeast Asia as governments turn to coercion and intimidation to rein in online criticism. Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam lack the kind of technology and financial resources that China and some other large countries use to police the Internet.

Hi "Lonelyterroris15″ JLieberman Has Subscribed to Your Videos!

John Paczkowski in News on May 19, 2008 at 3:46 pm PT

Add Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) to the list of folks who complain YouTube is neither thorough or expedient in removing objectionable content from its servers, whether it be in violation of copyright or “good taste.”

Hi “Lonelyterroris15″ JLieberman Has Subscribed to Your Videos!

John Paczkowski in News on May 19, 2008 at 3:46 pm PT

Add Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) to the list of folks who complain YouTube is neither thorough or expedient in removing objectionable content from its servers, whether it be in violation of copyright or “good taste.”