You may already be aware of China’s Internet censorship due to the clash between Google and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). What you may not know is exactly what mainland Chinese citizens are prevented from viewing online. Among political sites that discuss the “Tiananmen Square massacre” or shed a bad light on relations between China and Taiwan, there are many other banned websites that may surprise you. For this post, I am specifically focusing on three types of social media that citizens are unable to access:
- WordPress
The blocking of Facebook and Twitter may not seem like a big deal at first. For most people, Facebook and Twitter are just ways of tracking their friends and keeping in touch. However, the Chinese people had previously utilized these social media to upload pictures and video of the aftermath of protests-turned-riots which often turn ugly once the government begins to crack down on dissenters. This tactic was used during Tibet riots as well as riots in Xinjiang.
Even more mind-boggling is the realization that mainland Chinese citizens cannot view this blog because it is hosted by WordPress. It is also very unfortunate because blogs are made for human expression and the freedom to read or write using certain hosts has currently been taken away.
With some skillful maneuvering, one can bypass government-imposed Internet controls. But if someone is caught doing this, there will surely be a harsh punishment. Ultimately, it is the principle of restricting human rights that is extremely difficult to come to terms with. Whether citizens simply want to express their individuality or spread a political message, the Chinese government is disallowing freedom of expression by blocking access to social media. We may take our ability to express ourselves using an online platform for granted.
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It’s very touching to see how the United States, especially the world of athletics, has come together to give hope to the people of Haiti. Professional athletes are digging deep into their own pockets to push and push the relief efforts. It gives us sports fans something extra to admire and be proud of.