What is internet censorship?
Internet censorship is the control of content that is published or accessed over the Internet. Internet censorship rules vary between countries, however they generally apply to content that is considered illegal, harmful or unsuitable for minors, such as pornography.
In Australia, Commonwealth as well as state/territory laws control what is posted online. Content that is banned falls under one or more of the following classifications:
- R18: information considered to be disturbing or harmful to people under 18 years. The law does not cover R18 content that is hosted on overseas sites.
- X18: non violent sexually explicit material involving consenting adults.
- RC: Refused Classification.
What is the problem?
In some countries internet censorship is not used to protect the safety and welfare of citizens but as a tool for power and control. According to Amnesty International, internet censorship in China has restricted the public from freely expressing their views and opinions on political, social and human rights issues.
China’s actions are a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which they are signatories. The Declaration states:
‘Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.’ (Article 19)
Internet censorship in China has been an issue since it was possible to Google. In 1996, the Chinese government put in place restrictive laws to prevent people from accessing certain foreign media, human rights websites and other content that the government deemed ‘sensitive material’. Approximately 100 websites, including Taiwanese commentary sites and foreign news sites like CNN and BBC were banned.
So what’s considered ‘sensitive material’?
Sexually explicit content such as pornography and information that could be a potential threat to the Chinese government or China’s national security could land you in a lot of trouble. Information that may be damaging to China’s social stability is also considered sensitive. References or talks of the Falun Gong spiritual movement and the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests are examples of ‘sensitive material’.
How is internet censorship in China implemented?
Amnesty International Australia estimates that approximately 30,000 people, including Chinese authorities and internet service providers, are involved in reading private emails, monitoring chat rooms and deleting blogs.
Internet cafés across China ask for full identification from their customers and conduct random surveillance checks. Afraid of losing their businesses, some cafés have even installed their own surveillance software. Self-censorship has increased as people are unsure of what can and cannot be written or accessed over the internet.
According to the
Shanghai Daily (January 2006), Microsoft, Google and Yahoo! have signed an agreement complying with the censorship rules outlined by the Chinese Government in exchange for access to the Chinese market.
Chinese news websites such as People.com.cn and Chinanews.com, as well as some Chinese search engines such as Alibaba and Baidu are also operating under the government’s censorship regulations. If you enter a blacklisted term in certain search engines, you may be re-routed to a government site before eventually being ‘timed out’.
On a good day, failing to comply with regulations might mean your private blogs or emails are deleted. On a bad day you could face jail, torture or the death penalty for failing to abide by the regulations. Make that a very bad day.
Chinese journalists and activists face harsher consequences than anyone overseas. Even so, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China (FCCC) reported that approximately 157 incidents involving surveillance, arrests, threats or violence towards foreign journalists between 1 January and mid-September 2007. Reporters Without Borders reported 32 cases of foreign journalists detained in China since January 2007.
Amnesty International case studies
- In 2005, Shi Tao; a Chinese journalist was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison as a result of sending an email to a contact in the U.S which contained information on how the Chinese Government expected reports on the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests to be conducted.
- In 2008, another Chinese journalist; Huang Jingiu; was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for posting online information and writing essays for the Boxun news website which concerned human rights issues in China.
How did internet censorship affect the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
In true Olympic fashion, China’s internet censorship policies for overseas journalists played out like a volley ball match in the lead up to the Games. China opened with a promising serve in September 2006: unfettered internet access for all reporters covering the Games. After many quiet months, the Chinese government made a bold defensive move by refusing to remove restrictions on many ‘sensitive’ sites just days before the opening ceremony.
The IOC seemed beaten but journalists and human rights organisations all over the world made a swift counter attack, demanding freedom of information. China held strong and while some of the restrictions were loosened, many sites remained inaccessible. Chinese officials said that the journalists had more than enough access to adequately cover the Games.
During the games a British journalist was arrested while covering a ‘Free Tibet’ protest. After being released 30 minutes later, the journalist was unharmed, but his arrest was viewed by the public as China’s biggest breach of free media access yet.
What is being done?
Amnesty International Australia launched an official campaign in August 2007 to defend freedom of expression over the internet in China.
Amnesty International Australia aims to create awareness through flyers, talking to people and publishing information on their website, as by encouraging individuals and social groups to donate or write letters to support human right defenders in prison and to their families. Amnesty is also calling for people to sign ‘A human rights pledge for China’ available on their website.
This page was updated by kate elise
How do I know this?
Deb, 2008, What is Internet censorship?, Amnesty International Australia, Australia, action.amnesty.org.au/china/comments/10926/
Deb, 2008, Who is affected by Internet censorship?, Amnesty International Australia, Australia, action.amnesty.org.au/china/comments/10949/
Electronic Frontiers Australia, 2002, Internet censorship: law and policy around the world, Australia, www.efa.org.au/Issues/Censor/cens3.html#china
Electronic Frontiers Australia, 2006, Internet censorship laws in Australia, Australia, www.efa.org.au/Issues/Censor/cens1.html#comm
Electronic Frontiers Australia, 2008, Surveillance laws and powers, Australia,
www.efa.org.au/Issues/Privacy/surveill.html
English, B, ‘Chinese officials breaks promise to world media’, Herald Sun (U.K) (July 31, 2008) www.news.com.au/heraldsun/
Human Rights Watch, 2006, 'Freedom of expression and the Internet in China', New York, www.hrw.org/backgrounder/asia/china-bck-0701.htm
Korporall, G & Callick R, ‘China breaks word, censors world media at Olympics’, The Australian (July 31 2008) www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24104566-7582,00.html
Reporters Without Borders, 2007, 'Arrests and incidents involving foreign journalists show government is not keeping Olympic Games promises', France,
www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=23667
Shanghai Daily, 2006, Google censors its new website, China, www.china.org.cn/english/BAT/156375.htm
Tallay, L., 2007, 'Media freedom in China', Amnesty International Australia, Australia, action.amnesty.org.au/china/comments/media_freedom_in_china/
USA Today, 2002, 'China creates stern Internet e-mail rules', U.S.A, www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2002/01/18/china-internet.htm
Xinhua News Agency, 2006, 'Major news websites back internet self-censorship', China, www.china.org.cn/english/MATERIAL/165361.htm
