Sydney action against internet censorship in China

[TheUltraNinja]

HOW TO VOTE THE INTERNET CENSORSHIP OUT!

And you can still vote for who you like!

Go to: w w w. filter-conroy. org

I suggest checking out the entire site too.

Please vote this up and spread the info if you agree.

[Shinjiwang88]

i love this video full....

[loveforchina]

No one in China likes Communist Party expect the Communist themselves and some brainwashed folks. If China has a free election, the communist power get only 1-2% of the vote.

[joeyyadeadhomie]

Hope obama doesn't do this!,*Steve urkel* Did i saaaaay thaaaaaat?

[hyperharajuku]

Australia is currently sneaking in a law so they can filter the Australian internet check out angryaussie's video about it.

[dompoodle]

lol yeah i just saw that, really pisses me off

[RubberRoss]

China? I'd be more worried about home right now.

[bendross]

I don't want to be condescending, but have you ever spent any time in China? I would have had an opinion somewhat similar to yours before I went and lived in the country for three years. Again, the key is the WHY. Chinese society is different from that of the West. The economy is different. The political system is different. China is developing now (and people's standards of living are increasing) precisely because the government operates without any intervention.

[therata]

A few friends raised similar points (have been or have family in China). The political system & society ARE different. But just like here most people aren't overly political until something effects them.

I'm willing to bet the people you spent time with were privileged class/in one of the larger cities?

We take advantage of our freedoms & basic rights in the west.

My question is if you were censored at risk of beating, imprisonment, or torture would you want someone fighting to change this?

[bendross]

I spent time in Fuqing and Fuzhou a smaller and a medium sized city, and dealt with a lot of lower class folk. Western media often present it as if everybody hates the government and the system there, which isn't the case. Sure, there are problems, and sure there is opposition, but the bottom line is that the current regime is keeping the population fed and developing the economy more effectively than any other of the past 100 years. This is why people aren't fighting to change it.

[therata]

They're also torturing the most vocal of their opposition.

Keeping a population fed and having a growing economy don't excuse anyone for something like that. And we can safely say that here shouldn't someone send the Chinese government that message if people in China face serious consequences if they do it themselves?

[bendross]

@Therata

I respectfully disagree. Living in Western developed nations, we are in societies in which starvation (for most people) is not a major concern. It sounds harsh to Western ears, but China really needs someone firmly in charge, or else chaos will ensue. Also, I think the other mistake we make is thinking that the message we send to the Chinese government will actually change anything. It never has. If change is necessary, it will come from within.

[enigmaticmuse]

I would have to disagree with the notion that China requires a 'firm' leader to avoid chaos. Your argument seems to be complicity with the Western imperialism you seem to be against: suggesting that starvation is the key issue for a nation seems to ignore the indivisibility of such a concern with political and social freedoms (and polarises the 'wealthy' West which enjoys political rights whilst the 'East' is struggling for food).

[enigmaticmuse]

I'm not suggesting that poverty is more pressing in certain countries, only it is a mistake to divorce those concerns from broader political and economic factors. How can you support a policy of forced abortion in order to ensure that people are fed? Historically, China was a vast and disparate geography, and its cultural chaos is what made it so spectacular as a Nation. In addition, a country which embraces economic globalisation is exceptionally suscpetible to global pressures.

[enigmaticmuse]

So I do think it is too simplistic to suggest that change happens from within. It is important to stop trying to use broad polemic, such as too many people require a 'firm' hand and understand how political and social freedom can engender productivity and growth, rather than stifle it.

[therata]

There should always limits to power and I don't think you can justify abuses if they help economic gain.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets out some basic limits and these are completely ignored.

Change has to come from within but pressure from outside can encourage it. The Chinese successfully stifle democratic movements with their censorship regime. If Western companies refused to take part in censorship perhaps the "strong hand" you refer to wouldn't be all so encompassing.

[therata]

Cultural chaos IS what makes for vibrant nations. What a great term.

A healthy society incorporates debate & dissent, and to suggest chaos would ensue if China had a democratic ... or even just less ominous dictatorship is a bit condescending I'm sure Chinese society is every bit as resilient and adaptable as anywhere else so could handle democratic change. Or at least the government stopping its current abuses.

[loveforchina]

You are wrong

people are not fighting because what happened during 1989 Tiananmen. People are afraid of bloodshed.

[bendross]

I suggest these women actually spend some time in China to learn more about WHY the Chinese don't have the same "human rights" as we do in the West, rather than just using their own values to criticize them. If they actually spent some time talking to Chinese people, they would realize that they care a lot less about human rights than the folks in the West who are fighting for them.

[seewhatyoudidthere]

wow you're brilliant. oh wait, no, you're an uninformed toss-pot. China's human rights are awful, as are their censorship rules. TV shows such as the BBC aren't allowed to be viewed in China due to their accurate portrayal of Chinese history and even the net, the closest thing this world has to a free media, is restricted. It is both a shame and crime against humanity.

[AusLinkOrg]

Are u for real or what? I am in business with Chinese nationals that HATE this, well in so many words they tell me in written letters -imagine being so scared to day how you feel about something as the govt. is watching and will KILL YOU or jail you for LIFE for saying it SUCKS!

Get a life... you have no idea.

Of course they CARE- they are just too scared to talk about it lol.. wanker

[millertas]

Good on you Michelle. Please forgive me I am a completely ignorant on most sports. Please give me what event you are in and when it will be run. Anyone who supports human rights has my support. All the best for Beijing and thanks for speaking out.

Tony, Ulverstone, Tasmania