Looks like Blogspot/Blogger, my blogging platform is accessible again in China. Here's the run down of censorship for just this platform and remember that Wordpress and/or Typepad are also affected meaning I can't leave comments on some of your blogs even though I often want to.
Blogspot blocked again April 14, 2008
Wikipedia and Blogspot unblocked April 1, 2008
Blogspot unblocked and blocked again January 14, 2008
Blogspot blocked again — ongoing saga June 1, 2007
Blogspot unblocked again March 29, 2007
Foreign blog providers (including Blogspot) blocked March 20, 2007
Blogspot working in Beijing again November 23, 2006
Blogspot blocked again October 27, 2006
Blogspot unblocked August 9, 2006
- Blogspot was first blocked in 2003
This article comes via the excellent Danwei.org
I'm aware that google (blogger's older brother) is really focusing a lot of their attention on China at the moment and I read in a recent article about how much they have actually done towards bridging the gap around censorship and proxy server regimes. Applause to them, firstly.
ReplyDeleteI think the sad thing about censorship and a country-wide proxy (similar to what happens in the UAE and Saudi) is that while the aim is to reduce dissent, the truly joyous and positive expressions about a country and its culture are also quashed. Meanwhile, dissent is merely concentrated, leaking out like poison and China loses more of its dignity one megabit at a time.
If PRC is so concerned with managing its economic power well, perhaps it would do well for it to follow the lead of some of the worlds other major economies - organisations like google - and handle its criticism and its prasie in equal measure, with a sense of dignity and relative openness.
While it would be nice to think that one day we could all be objective and rational in the way we deal with those that don't agree, I have to say I don't see it happening.
ReplyDeleteWhat would be interesting to find out is what drives this schizophrenic righteousness by the good people the run the PRC's nationwide firewall - is it specifically a firefighting exercise?
I'm glad you highlighted the good stuff Lauren because I think you know from this blog that the Beijing people are among some of the best folk I've come across around the world but without lots of different opinions the only messages of positive intent they will receive are approved messages like those I see on CCTV 9 which are not at all healthy for people to consider as 'reality'. They're not and as humans we need to take the rough with the smooth to be balanced members of the rapidly emerging international community.
ReplyDeleteSam - I've no idea why this blogging platform is frequently switched on and off. It does suggest some sort of policy dysphoria and I often think that censorship is a double edged sword because it leaves questions in the mind. I'm now officially banned in China separately from blogspot so I can no longer share with China the good and the bad. A shame because its a sharing economy that is possibly the most radical idea to break through in recent times.
Bugger I forgot to share with both of you. Check this link out because I think it says more about reliance on a paternal and didactic authority then any number of anecdotes could.
ReplyDeletehttp://tinyurl.com/ytr5bm
In some ways its not too bad because the more you hide the bad the more people will look for it.
ReplyDeleteIfproxy allows Charles, watch Chinese School on BBC iplayer. Lots of insight into how the PRC handles what kids do.
Hi Rob. I think human nature is exactly as you describe. I am however aware of the power of conditioning and the following link really may surprise you.
ReplyDeletehttp://tinyurl.com/ytr5bm