Google and China
There's quite an elaborate discussion going on about Google's acceptance of censorship in China. Personally, it is quite disheartening to know that the internet is censored in China, but even more so when one realizes that pioneering companies, such as Google, kowtow to state governments' whims. If you want a recap of the whole thing then go here.
However, if you would like a disappointing overview of the situation, look no further than these two screenshots. The first is a search for Tiananmen on Google Images (google.com), the second is the same search performed on Google China.
Search on 'normal' Google.
Search on Chinese Google.
The thing is, does it not constitute bad CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) on Google's part to support such incredibly insane censorship?
For all the hoopla about China being the economic superpower, I honestly think its working more towards making the elite happy and content, thus their dissenting voices are automatically muted by pride, rather than concrete and full measured change.
I shudder to think that this is the state of the second pole in a future bipolar world. It makes me sad and disappointed. What can we do against such propoganda? I'd love to hear from any voices who have been to China, or are Chinese.
However, if you would like a disappointing overview of the situation, look no further than these two screenshots. The first is a search for Tiananmen on Google Images (google.com), the second is the same search performed on Google China.Search on 'normal' Google.
Search on Chinese Google.
The thing is, does it not constitute bad CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) on Google's part to support such incredibly insane censorship?
For all the hoopla about China being the economic superpower, I honestly think its working more towards making the elite happy and content, thus their dissenting voices are automatically muted by pride, rather than concrete and full measured change.I shudder to think that this is the state of the second pole in a future bipolar world. It makes me sad and disappointed. What can we do against such propoganda? I'd love to hear from any voices who have been to China, or are Chinese.
posted by Pranay Manocha at 5:44 PM
4 Comments:
money talks..
6:38 PM
sent them an email to gblog@google.com and voice your opinion directly to them. I'm sure they will take it serious if enough people tell them they're upset
7:18 PM
yes, money talks.... but does it have anything intelligent to say?
I work in independent media here in beijing, the seat of power and bureaucracy, where the state makes the judgement for the people what ideas are (or arnt) 'suitable'.
They have a whole office building devoted to censorship which functions like the media netnanny, and sniffer software which snoops around and tracks your IP down (with the help of yahoo, msn, cisco to name a few). To even access blogger.com (owned by google) and other banned sites, I have to hide behind a ghost proxy but i wonder how long it will last before this is found out and blocked.
Little wonder that microsoft keeps its servers offshore in Japan, as do many other international companies.
Even what may be considered widely accepted knowledge, if published, can be viewed as a 'State Secret' as this security law doesnt exactly define what IS a secret. This, like so many things chinese, gives them the grey area to maneuver and arrest anyone as they please.
So most officially reported statistics are treated by even its own state media with a pinch of salt, but a degree of self censorship prevails.. even right up to the level of most UN agencies dealing with sensitive issues here, if they hope to remain in China.
I for one find it very frustrating. When we take footage in and out the country, we always hide them amongst DVtapes of sports (usually something inane like swimming or Yao Ming houston rocket games) so it doesnt get seized by customs.
I can no longer get there, but if you want to make a difference, go to reporters sans frontieres (www.rsf.org).
It'll be interesting to see how long this posting stays up before its censored too...
10:28 AM
Having acknowledged that its geopolitical power is directly linked to its economic success, Chinese foreign policy experts are playing a "waiting game" it seems..where in their hand will increase in value over time, but the need of the hour is to set their domestic cards in order.
Why? because they realize that one of the biggest threats to their global economic domination agenda are its domestic liabilities.
- Huge disparity between the booming, industrialized cities and its undeveloped interior
- econominic and social problems (Extrernal costs for which are huge) due to centrally planned projects. For eg:- the three gorges dam project or the fact their "one child" policy will result in a larger elderly population with time who will need to be cared for by the state.
- Energy production. Currently, it relies on domestic coal (75%)for energy and though there are efforts to switch to alternate fuels and energy security is its top priority they are far from reaching a sustainable solution
- Articles like this> expose the injustice that prevails. The question this begs is when, if it all, the disparate domestic groups will rise up to the government domination and more importantly how? Technology and education will play a key role.
It remains to be seen how Beijing contends with these domestic threats (in the long run) to safeguard the pace of its economic growth.
5:10 PM
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