china - the great firewall - human rights or revenue

karlos
Apr 1, 2008 at 5:59 PM
7 comments

China’s Great Firewall must be lifted during the Olympic Games to ensure free access to the rest of the world. That was the message from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to the Beijing organisers of the Games during meetings that will be the last official sessions between IOC inspectors and the Chinese hosts before the Games open on August 8. Kevan Gosper, vice-chairman of the IOC co-ordinating commission, said blocking the internet during the Games would reflect very poorly on the host nation. “Even this morning we discussed and insisted again. Our concern is that the press is able to operate as it has at previous Games — at Games time.”

China routinely blocks access to certain sites on the internet and can implement at will a blacklist of words that cannot be found and will crash a search engine, barriers to certain parts of the internet have been enforced with even greater vigour. [source-times on-line]

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karlos

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What I do not understand is why the IOC want to put pressure on China to allow access to the internet. The population of China are essentially being banned from global communication and are suffering mass censorship on an unrivaled scale and that's fine with the international community but not if it interferes with the revenue generation for tv and media during the olympics.

maybe, it's in one's own interest and it's possible that they want to cover up their own reality, with this initiative.

i think its simply about cash money being more important than civilians, it's about numbers in bank accounts being more important than human rights.

si, it's usual, much more when we are talking about China. the money & profits, is the most important.

[this is good]

The greatest access to the commoner in China I have found is through Skype. In having many relation with Chinese through this portal I have shared sites on the web. I have encountered many times that they (the Chinese user) would not be allowed to some sites (i.e. Vox). They (Chinese) are eager to learn English and this is generally their motive (outside of selling manufactured and pirated goods to you). I believe that the government is trying to restrict the and advancement of western culture within their country while promoting capitalism. Because along with the entertaining aspect of it also comes the individualism, freedom of expression, integration and an incubator of populist ideas; which the government (Peoples Republic of China) cannot benefit from. They can tax and control the revenue that is generated and feed the "New Cold War" to be the worlds predominate superpower. So no Internet!! per the PRC

Great Post!

Bycha Buxton

Thanks for the skype link Bycha, it would be great to get the lowdown on china from the inside, from the civilians rather than the media or their governors.

China may agree with the IOC before the fact, because that costs nothing. China doesn't need Games-related revenue and will be very willing to lose some or all of it. The firewall will tighten during the Olympics, mobile signal will be affected, and China will play the 'developing nation' card (technical glitches) to thinly disguise their true intentions. Overly-inquisitive foreign journalists will be reined in 'for their safety' because of the 'unrest' over the Tibet issue and Fortress Beijing will ensure only 'approved' Chinese nationals will be in the city, which was the stated plan of the CCP soon after the Olympics franchise was granted. Any 'technical disruption' to foreign press coverage will be quickly replaced by 'assistance' from the CCP, which will lead to boring, nationalistic, jingoistic tripe being broadcast from the Chinese perspective.

See the anti-CNN propaganda being put out recently as a precursor to the curbing of foreign media. China is rightly nervous that another Tian'an'men Square situation may erupt if it doesn't rigidly control which nationals are allowed to stay in Beijing and what the foreign media are allowed to see and report.

china - the great firewall - human rights or revenue

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