The 13 Enemies of the Internet 203
Hennell writes "Reporters without borders has just released its annual list of internet enemies, a list of countries 'that systematically violate online free expression.' A couple of countries have been removed, but Egypt has been added. A detailed summary can be read on the BBC Website." From that article: "The blacklist is published annually but it is the first time RSF has organized an online protest to accompany the list. 'We wanted to mobilize net users so that when we lobby certain countries we can say that the concerns are not just ours but those of thousands of internet users around the world,' said a spokesman for RSF. Many of those on the internet blacklist are countries that are regularly criticized by human rights groups, such as China and Burma."
Why only countries? (Score:5, Insightful)
enemies? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:What about USA ? (Score:3, Insightful)
You can hardly compare the civil attacks on one piece of software that was designed to allow copying of content which the seller had restricted (no matter how right you might think that is, and I'm not arguing the point) with the systematic censorship of any political or otherwise controversial electronic communication. The fact that you would even bring that up in this context demonstrates that you MUST live in a country which is shockingly low in censorship when compared to the rest of the world.
Re:What about the Vatican? (Score:2, Insightful)
They should be on the list too.
Re:enemies? (Score:3, Insightful)
Individually, it would be difficult for these nations to have an impact on the Internet as a whole. However, it sure puts a damper on it for its own citizens. Many of these people are not free to leave their country to find an unfiltered pipe. For some it's because they can't afford to uproot their family, for many it's because the oppressive government won't allow its citizens to leave.
Furthermore, the list is not short, and it includes the most populous country on the planet. That could result in the norm world-wide being heavy Internet censorship. Any country, of whatever size, that engages in this behavior is an enemy of the Internet as a whole.
Re:Why only countries? (Score:4, Insightful)
Moral fiber and psychic powers. There simply isn't enough transparency in corporations to figure out whether they are acting ethically or not in most cases, unless they do something really reprehensible and a government gets involved and compels transparency, or someone on the inside finally decides that having a job is no longer worth it.
Re:But I thought? (Score:4, Insightful)
What I have seen argued is that the US is slipping. What gives most Americans the high ground when comparing the US government to the PRC's? The fact that the latter espouses censorship, torture, invasion of privacy, strongarm military policies, and general human rights and due process violations. Americans are protected by the constitution and a multitude of checks and balances. Erosion of those protections is the concern.
If the US loses that high ground, you've got a problem. Do you really want your country to only be no worse than China? It would be one thing if that meant that the Chinese government had decided to treat its citizens better, but it's quite another if the US drops down to their current level of rights.
America isn't there yet, not by a long shot, and the constant cries of "OMG, Orwell" do grow a little tiresome, but the underlying concern is completely valid. It is easier to protect your rights in the here and now than it is to try and fight for them once they're gone.
Avoid the veal. (Score:5, Insightful)
Hello! May I be the first to welcome you to our planet. You may find things here a little unsettling, coming from your obviously very advanced civilization and culture; in the meantime I recommend you don't try to make sense of anything.
Oh, and be sure to try the pastrami, it's excellent here.
Re:Interesting Fact to observe (Score:3, Insightful)
Neither the USA, France, or Germany deserve to be on this list, because their restrictions, such as they are, are rather mild. I think your anti-Americanism has gotten the better of you, or you're trolling.
And as far "pariah" being a tautology for "military", that speaks for itself. Societies do not ostracize those who sacrifice for the community, but honor them.
Also, do we call Germany "Deutschland" in English? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Some missing (Score:1, Insightful)
Enemys or censors? (Score:3, Insightful)