“Press control has really moved to the center of the agenda,” said David Bandurski, an analyst at the China Media Project of the University of Hong Kong. “The Internet is the decisive factor there. It’s the medium that is changing the game in press control, and the party leaders know this.”
Today, China censors everything from the traditional print press to domestic and foreign Internet sites; from cellphone text messages to social networking services; from online chat rooms to blogs, films and e-mail. It even censors online games.
That’s not all. Not content merely to block dissonant views, the government increasingly employs agents to peddle its views online, in the guise of impartial bloggers and chat-room denizens. And increasingly, it is backing state-friendly clones of Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, all Western sites that have been blocked here for roughly a year.
The government’s strategy, according to Mr. Bandurski and others, is not just to block unflattering messages, but to overwhelm them with its own positive spin and rebuttals.
Abu Saeed Khan: Champion of Connectivity
Abu Saeed Khan has taken leave of us. We celebrate a life well-lived and mourn the loss of a valued friend and colleague.
Renowned Bangladeshi Telecom expert and LIRNEasia Senior Policy Fellow Abu Saeed Khan passes away
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Abu Saeed Khan, a renowned telecommunications expert, and Senior Policy Fellow at LIRNEasia. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
LIRNEasia is hiring: Communications Intern
LIRNEasia is seeking a talented individual to join the team as a Communications Intern. The full job description is available here.
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