| Revision as of 17:50, 9 May 2007 editHodja Nasreddin (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Pending changes reviewers31,217 editsm moved Persecution of political bloggers to Political repression of bloggers and cyber-dissidents: More precise title - based on comments of Irpen and others made at talk page← Previous edit | Revision as of 17:58, 9 May 2007 edit undoHodja Nasreddin (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Pending changes reviewers31,217 edits Changing the introductary phrase accordinglyNext edit → | ||
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| Along with development of the ], state authorities in many parts of the world are moving forward to install ] of the electronic communications, establish ] to limit the flow of information, and persecute individuals and groups who express “inconvenient” political views in the Internet. In ] the right to criticize the ] without interference is considered an important element of ]. However in regions where ] and ] media are tightly controlled,the ] online postings may be the only source of information about the experiences, feelings, and opinions of ordinary citizens. | Along with development of the ], state authorities in many parts of the world are moving forward to install ] of the electronic communications, establish ] to limit the flow of information, and persecute individuals and groups who express “inconvenient” political views in the Internet. In ] the right to criticize the ] without interference is considered an important element of ]. However in regions where ] and ] media are tightly controlled,the ] online postings may be the only source of information about the experiences, feelings, and opinions of ordinary citizens. | ||
Revision as of 17:58, 9 May 2007
Political repression of bloggers and cyber-dissidents is oppression, persecution, intimidation, or other forms of political repression of people for expressing their political ideas and views in the Internet. The persecution is usually conducted by state authorities or security services and may include harassment, intimidation, judicial prosecution, or extrajudicial punishment.
Along with development of the Internet, state authorities in many parts of the world are moving forward to install mass surveillance of the electronic communications, establish Internet censorship to limit the flow of information, and persecute individuals and groups who express “inconvenient” political views in the Internet. In liberal democracies the right to criticize the government without interference is considered an important element of free speech. However in regions where print and broadcast media are tightly controlled,the anonymous online postings may be the only source of information about the experiences, feelings, and opinions of ordinary citizens.
Many cyber-dissidents have found themselves persecuted for attempts to bypass state controlled news media. Reporters Without Borders has released a Handbook For Bloggers and Cyber-Dissidents and maintains a roster of currently imprisoned cyber-dissidents. The Committee to Protect Bloggers has been created
Iran
Mohamad Reza Nasab Abdolahi was imprisoned for published an open letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His pregnant wife and other bloggers who commented on the arrest were imprisoned too.
Egypt
Several bloggers in Egypt are arrested for allegedly defaming the president Hosni Mubarak or expressing critical views about Islam Blogger Karim Amer has been convicted to four years of prison .
China
Main article: Internet censorship in the People's Republic of ChinaChinese Communist Party leader Hu Jintao ordered to "maintain the initiative in opinion on the Internet and raise the level of guidance online," "An internet police force - reportedly numbering 30,000 - trawls websites and chat rooms, erasing anti-Communist comments and posting pro-government messages." However, the number of Internet police personnel was challenged by Chinese authorities Amnesty International blamed several companies, including Google, Microsoft and Yahoo!, of collusion with the Chinese authorities to restrict access to information over the Internet and identify cyber-dissidents by hiring "big mamas" .
It was reported that departments of provincial and municipal governments in mainland China began creating "teams of internet commentators, whose job is to guide discussion on public bulletin boards away from politically sensitive topics by posting opinions anonymously or under false names" in 2005 Applicants for the job were drawn mostly from the propaganda and police departments. Successful candidates have been offered classes in Marxism, propaganda techniques, and the Internet. "They are actually hiring staff to curse online," said Liu Di, a Chinese student who was arrested for posting her comments in blogs
Russia
When Russian president Vladimir Putin called on his nation's women to have more children, journalist Vladimir Rakhmankov published a satiric article on the Internet calling Putin "the nation's phallic symbol". Rakhmankov was found guilty and fined by the court.
Journalist Boris Stomakhin and director of Russian-Chechen Friendship Society Stanislav Dmitrievsky were also prosecuted and convicted in 2006 for publishing articles on the internet.
Tunisia
Lawyer and human rights defender Mohammed Abbou was imprisoned for criticizing torture on a web site.
Vietnam
Nguyen Vu Binh was imprisoned for writing about violations of human rights, and Truong Quoc Huy was arrested for discussing political reforms in Internet chat room
References
- Connor, A. (2005), Not just critics, BBC News, 20th June 2005. Retrieved on 29th November 2006.
- Egypt arrests another blog critic, BBC News, 20th November 2006. Retrieved on 29th November 2006.
- China's Hu vows to "purify" Internet, Reuters, Jan 24, 2007
- War of the words by Guardian Unlimited, February 20, 2006
- Ｗho are China's Top Internet Cops?
- Amnesty International joins multi stakeholder initiative on internet and human rights
- ^ China's secret internet police target critics with web of propaganda, by Jonathan Watts in Beijing, June 14, 2005, Guardian Unlimited
- Russia: 'Phallic' Case Threatens Internet Freedom
- U.S. Media Watchdog Criticizes Russia
- Media freedom watchdog condemns conviction of journalist in Russia
- Russia: Activist’s Conviction Hurts Freedom of Expression statement by Human Rights Watch
- KAVKAZ-CENTER WRITER APPEALS JAIL SENTENCE - by Jamestown Foundation
- Two years behind Tunisian bars for speaking out Statement by Amnesty International
- Free Vietnamese Internet dissidents!, Statement by Amnesty International
External links
- The Internet and Human Rights by Amnesty International
- Today, our chance to fight a new hi-tech tyranny by Guardian Unlimited