Internet Censorship

Since the liberation of Egypt dictators around the world have started to realize that the Internet can act as a fprum of free flowing ideas and unlike other forms of media it is very difficult to sensor. They realize that censoring the Internet is an ineffective way of controlling the public. The sheer number of Internet users makes it difficult for dictators to remove entries. Such is the case with a controversial death in China. In his article “Dictators and Internet Double Standards”, Gordon Crovitz describes Egypt's revolution, “In Egypt, it was photos posted online of Khaled Said, who had been beaten to death by corrupt police officers In both cases, Facebook pages drew attention to the cases, and Twitter posts helped organize protests”, (Crovitz). Khaid Said became a martyr. Thousands of Egypt's citizens united behind his name. A Facebook page entitled we are all Khaid Said was created and played the center role in Egypt's liberation front. The Internet played a major role in Egypt’s revolution. Crovitz contrast this with China's choice to prevent access to controversial news stories involving public officials. Crovitz explains the case, “Zhao Wei was on his way home to Inner Mongolia from his studies in Tianjin when he got into a dispute with a railway employee over his seat assignment. His parents were informed that he had committed suicide by jumping from the train.” (Crovitz). Wei's family posted photos of their son's body that indicate that he was beaten. The Internet was inflamed with the controversial death. Officials found that it was futile to try to cover up the story. More articles from Gordon Crovitz can be found here.