China: Great Firewall Isn't Censorship, It's Safeguarding The Public

from the it's-never-censorship-when-you're-doing-it dept

As we've discussed in reference to PROTECT IP, those who are in favor of censorship always have some sort of convoluted rationale for why it's not really censorship. They'll always argue that it's something different. In the case of PROTECT IP, obviously, they claim it's to stop infringement -- ignoring that it's still censorship. So it's little surprise to see the Chinese sounding just like PROTECT IP supporters in defending the Great Firewall of China by claiming that it's not about censorship at all. A government spokeswoman defending China from a US diplomat's complaint about the Great Firewall insists that it supports freedom of speech... but it has to filter and block websites online to "safeguard the public." And it claims it does so "in line with internationally accepted practices." Indeed, and PROTECT IP is just about "safeguarding some companies." There's always an excuse, but it never changes the simple fact that censorship is censorship.
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Filed Under: censorship, china, free speech, great firewall, protecting the public


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  1. icon
    :Lobo Santo (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 9:10am

    Ah,

    So now they're just like America!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 9:14am

    The funny thing is that even though they have the biggest restriction on the Internet a country can possibly have (an actual physical firewall between the country and the internet) and intensive scrutiny of its citizens online activity in pursuit of comprehensive censorship...

    China is next to Russia as one of the countries with the worst content piracy industries known to man.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 9:22am

    Poor Masnick. Protect IP is about to pass and there is nothing he can do to stop it.

    He just hates it when piracy is addressed by law enforcement.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. icon
    Chuck Norris' Enemy (deceased) (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 9:23am

    Re:

    Probably because what they are censoring freedom and ideals. The Chinese government has little issue with its citizens copying copyrighted materials...at least until the content industry can muster enough Yuan to influence the government.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. icon
    Chuck Norris' Enemy (deceased) (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 9:26am

    Re:

    What is your point! "Neener! Neener!" That is all you've got? Are you going to try to address the topic? Of course, not. You love censorship?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 9:29am

    Re:

    Exactly. Copyright Infringement is against the law in the US, so our government should restrict all internet use that breaks our laws.

    In China, it's against the law to criticize the government, so they should also have the ability to restrict any internet sites that allow this.

    Argument validated. Oh wait, you were agreeing with China, correct?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 9:33am

    Is Hilary Clinton going to lambaste the Chinese in the news for American consumption while her Chinese counterpart lambaste the Americans for doing the same thing for the Chinese consumption there?

    Then they call the public "mob" when they gather to protest, or get surprised and indignant when things turn violent, go figure.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. icon
    The Logician (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 9:38am

    Re:

    Failure to address what was said, AC 3, constitutes an admission of the flawed nature of the maximalism you support. You know what those you support do will not stand, thus you avoid any direct address of those issues. That and your condescending demeanor and preference for insults and misrepresentation over honesty and logic clearly demonstrate your desperation and how precarious your position truly is. You cannot hold back what technology allows. To attempt to do so would be futile.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. icon
    Jeremy2020 (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 9:41am

    Re:

    Who do you work for?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  10. icon
    Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 9:50am

    Re:

    Protect IP doesn't address piracy. What makes you think it does? The name? That's like the Patriot Act actually being about patriotism, it ain't

    link to this | view in thread ]

  11. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 9:50am

    Is Censorship such a bad thing ?

    Take the analogy with brainwashing...
    Why do some people think that is bad?
    You wash your hands when they get dirty, why shouldn't you wash your brain of the filth of capitalist thought? Whoops!
    I meant wash your brain of the pollution of piracy.

    Wait... What is it am I supposed to be opposed to now?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  12. identicon
    John Doe, 21 Oct 2011 @ 9:53am

    Re:

    Unfortunately for you, Mike will have the last laugh when this legislation fails to meet its goals. Infringement will not stop, it won't even be slowed down. That is the whole point here, it won't make a difference and the unintended (though probably intended) consequences will have a detrimental effect well beyond the scope of piracy.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  13. icon
    The Infamous Joe (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:03am

    Re:

    Looks like we need Internet censorship after all. cnn.com/censorship-might-not-be-so-bad-for-us

    link to this | view in thread ]

  14. identicon
    MrWilson, 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:03am

    Re: Is Censorship such a bad thing ?

    Pirates. You're supposed to be opposed to pirates - the kind that hijack your boat with guns and cutlasses in order to illegally copy all of your entertainment media and distribute it freely on the internet.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  15. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:04am

    Re: Is Censorship such a bad thing ?

    Citizen report to the Thought Police for your retraining.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  16. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:06am

    Re: Re:

    Of course I addressed the topic: it's well known that Masnick hates it when piracy is addressed by law enforcement, so he registers his anger by making moronic analogies to China.

    He isn't fooling anyone and neither are you bozos.

    Seriously, just give it up already. It's sad to watch.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  17. icon
    The Logician (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:21am

    Re: Re: Re:

    Inaccurate, AC 16. You merely stated a supposition. You have given no evidence to back it up, however, therefore it is invalid. Logic is not one of your strengths.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  18. identicon
    Another AC, 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:22am

    Re: Re: Re:

    My 'Ignorance Meter' just exploded :(

    link to this | view in thread ]

  19. identicon
    hothmonster, 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:24am

    Re:

    Mao the party is over.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  20. icon
    Jimr (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:26am

    If we just lock everyone up in some secure 8 foot by 8 foot cell and supply them with food and water and 1 hour of exercise a day then everyone would be absolutely safe.

    Safety and freedom have to be balanced. Right now the trend is to sacrifice more and more freedom to gain a small and smaller amount of safety.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  21. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:26am

    Re: Re: Re:

    I agree with you on this one. I have noticed that there is a direct ramping up of rhetoric on Techdirt whenever Mike feels that one of his major themes is going to take a beating.

    Comparing a law to the Chinese is pretty much the most high end rhetoric possible. It suggests that supporters of PROTECT IP are communists, nasty people who will never allow anyone to say anything except nice words.

    Mike, all you are missing is some Hitler and maybe some Fidel Castro references in there to complete your attack.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  22. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:26am

    Re: Re: Re:

    Do you want a copy of THOR?
    I just ripped it, using only a video player, no fancy apps for the job I'm afraid.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  23. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:27am

    Re: Re:

    The circling of the wagons is strong with this group.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  24. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:27am

    Re: Re:

    Not again!
    Thanks.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  25. icon
    Planespotter (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:33am

    Re:

    And we all know what the Founding Fathers thought of that don't we.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  26. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:38am

    Re: Re: Re: Re:

    You said it pal!

    What else a censorship tool could possibly be used for?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  27. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:39am

    Re: Ah,

    You mean they are collapsing like our empire and their Real Great Wall?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  28. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:46am

    Re: Re: Re: Re:

    Speaking of rhetoric . . .

    link to this | view in thread ]

  29. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:48am

    Re: Re: Re:

    Circling of wagons, again with the wild west references. The Internet is not like the wild west. No wagons needed, just time and progress.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  30. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 11:20am

    Re: Re: Re: Re:

    Hey dude, a little FYI: You're not funny.

    This site is a joke, and everyone knows it.


    But for a little reality and facts, something you will never get here, try these:

    http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/stories/101311cc

    http://flavorwire.com/221471/is-groove shark-purposely-screwing-over-musicians

    link to this | view in thread ]

  31. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 11:26am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    I give Mike back what he so richly ladled out in his initial post.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  32. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 11:34am

    China must "protect" their people from all the online news stories, because China is at its core a conniving communist government exploiting a capitalist economy for global economic advantages.

    Watch the movie Mardi Gras: Made in China. The human exploitation going on in that country is absolutely despicable and the fact that the US is essential complicit with it sickens me.

    I would be more than happy to give up all things made in China if it would mean basic human rights for the Chinese population. It's time the US takes a stand.

    Oh wait we can't, they OWN OUR GOVERNMENT. Get the trillions of Chinese money out of our US Treasury bonds and fix this ridiculous situation. It makes me absolutely sick to my stomach.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  33. icon
    The eejit (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 12:08pm

    Re: Re:

    And that is likely to happen in a month of blue moons.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  34. icon
    The eejit (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 12:12pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    I see no law enforcement involved there. Therefore, your argument is still invalid. Thank you, however, for at least linking to something to back up your assertions that there is, indeed, an issue.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  35. icon
    The eejit (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 12:14pm

    Re: Re:

    To be fair, at least they tried to back up their assertions. I've seen some right trolls just go into "Akita on skag" mode.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  36. icon
    nasch (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 12:17pm

    Re: Re:

    Unfortunately for you, Mike will have the last laugh when this legislation fails to meet its goals.

    I don't think Mike or similarly-thinking individuals will be laughing, because...

    the unintended (though probably intended) consequences will have a detrimental effect well beyond the scope of piracy.

    There won't be anything funny about PROTECT IP, any more than there is about the DMCA.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  37. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 12:44pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    How's fighting fire with fire been working out for you?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  38. icon
    Grae (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 12:46pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    Can you cite which specific parts of PROTECT IP will enable piracy to be addressed by law enforcement in ways that were not possible before?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  39. icon
    Christopher (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 1:10pm

    Re:

    Wrong. China is an ELITIST government when it comes down to it, exploiting capitalism for economic advantages.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  40. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 1:14pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    Works for Mike, should work for the rest of us.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  41. identicon
    hothmonster, 21 Oct 2011 @ 1:39pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    but but he started it mommy!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  42. identicon
    hothmonster, 21 Oct 2011 @ 1:40pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    sorry that isn't on the teleprompter

    link to this | view in thread ]

  43. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 3:44pm

    Lying About It

    You can always tell when the Chinese government is up to something, which they are secretly ashamed of. They lie about it, very obviously and clearly. Provided you are good at detecting lies, it is sort of honest, really.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  44. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 6:54pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    The reality is that piracy will never cease and desist, you can either embrace it or get red in the face, but people will not stop the piracy.

    Can I interest you in some tunes for free?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  45. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2011 @ 8:24pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    I don't think anyone doubts that there will always be douchebags in the world.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  46. icon
    techflaws.org (profile), 21 Oct 2011 @ 10:46pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    This site is a joke, and everyone knows it.

    Dude, that's why you and you ilk come here on a regular basis touting industry postitions? Quite convincing.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  47. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 22 Oct 2011 @ 12:19am

    Re: Re: Re: Re:

    "Comparing a law to the Chinese is pretty much the most high end rhetoric possible."

    Lol. So Mike makes a comparison, it's not acceptable and rhetoric?

    But tying file sharing to drug dealing, organized crime, terrorism, child pornography, etc. is perfectly okay?

    "I have noticed that there is a direct ramping up of rhetoric on Techdirt whenever Mike feels that one of his major themes is going to take a beating."

    And when people, anyone in general, question things like Protect IP, or things done by the entertainment industry that are questionable (at best), and they quickly spin out some kind of story or article or bit for the tv news and whatnot, that's not a direct ramping up of rhetoric?

    I see. Nice double standard you and some who agree with you seem to have there. In my book, the word "hypocrisy" springs quickly to mind to cover such things.

    "It's okay when we do it. But how dare Mike Masnick and Techdirt, and anyone in general that doesn't agree with us, do the same thing! That is underhanded and wrong! Wre wre wre!" Lol. That's what you and the industries come off sounding like. And you want people to believe what you say and feel sorry for you. Things like that make people who might lean to your side think twice. Hypocrisy doesn't win you friends, just make people realize who you really are and want to distance themselves from you.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  48. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 22 Oct 2011 @ 6:20am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    Masnick is so ashamed of his behavior he can't even come out and admit he supports pirates.

    That's really all that needs to be said about this blog.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  49. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 22 Oct 2011 @ 8:01am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    Nice deflection there, hypocrite.

    And actually, Masnick has said he doesn't support piracy, condone it, etc. I'm not going to bother to link to the exact quote, because you'll ignore it. As you've done repeatedly. In fact, we had one article relatively recently, where people went out of there way to link to articles/quotes where Mike specifically stated his views on piracy. In line with "I don't support it" and "this website is not pro-piracy". There were more than a few links (and by that I mean there were AT LEAST 15 or so posted by people).

    All that really needs to be said about this blog is that there are idiots like yourself with a major agenda coming here, stating things, and then not presenting proof to back up your claims. The one who SHOULD be ashamed of their behavior is you. Of course, you'd have to have morals to be ashamed, and obviously you don't. Quit with the Mike bashing already, that or tell him you're actually in love with him and thus you do what you do (which is what a 5 year old in love does) and then get rejected and move on.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  50. icon
    nasch (profile), 22 Oct 2011 @ 10:54am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    That's really all that needs to be said about this blog.

    Excellent. You've said it, so now you don't need to make any further comments, ever.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  51. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 22 Oct 2011 @ 11:25am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    Masnick has said he doesn't support piracy

    10 out of 10 convicted felons will tell you they're innocent.

    The reality that exists right in front of you: what a bitch.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  52. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 22 Oct 2011 @ 12:55pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    "10 out of 10 convicted felons will tell you they're innocent."

    And how many of those 10 ACTUALLY are innocent?

    Or are you just going with a broad sweeping statement to justify your opinion as fact? Because it seems that there's more proof that Mike doesn't support piracy, as evidenced by all the quotes and links in a previous article. Evidence which you've yet to refute beyond your own stated opinions, which you're trying to present as fact.

    Show some evidence to support your, at the moment, completely false, claims. Link to quotes. Etc.

    Until then, the reality is, Mike DOES NOT support piracy. And that is a reality you're ignoring, while coming off as a little b*tch who refuses to see past his own bias.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  53. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 23 Oct 2011 @ 5:12pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    "Masnick is so ashamed of his behavior he can't even come out and admit he supports pirates."

    Really? Is that why Mike himself absolutely and irrefutably stated he DOES NOT support pirates/piracy? Because he did say exactly that in the Ninjavideo article if memory serves me correctly. Which means, that you're spreading misinformation and lies. Trying to, again, pass off your opinions as fact, contrary to evidence which says otherwise.

    What this means is that everything you say is false and should be ignored.

    "That's really all that needs to be said about this blog."

    Okay, so now that that's been said (as false as it is), will you shut up and quit commenting on this site? Obviously that's all that needs to be said and it's been said. Thus, there's no need for you to say a single thing ever again.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  54. identicon
    Jane Doe, 23 Oct 2011 @ 8:09pm

    My wall of text is going to eat you alive!

    "That is the whole point here, it won't make a difference and the unintended (though probably intended) consequences will have a detrimental effect well beyond the scope of piracy."

    I was thinking the exact same thing after reading one of those perpetually dumb comments the copyright supporting AC's often make, like the idiotic Anti-Mike post further up from this one.

    Has there ever been a law strongly lobbied for by the copyright industry that didn't result in unintended consequences? More often than not, they end up burning themselves with the silly, usually too broad and poorly thought out, laws they manage to foist on everyone else. The flaming double-edged sword they flail around like mad men tends to cut them far more often and deeply than their chosen target, yet they never seem to learn from these mistakes. This amuses me to no end, because it means they're doing more to harm themselves than we ever could.

    I can only assume their pettiness, greed, and hate is blinding them, as is often the case with human nature. People always fall victim to tunnel vision when something they greatly desire lies within their sights. They're so focused on goals they falsely believe will solve everything that they fail to observe the path which must be traveled to get there. This is a path that is always full of pitfalls, the most dangerous being the people they'll inevitably step on to get there. Most of these are not even the people they perceive as enemies. Nor do they ever seem to notice the rampant and wide spread negative effects they produce on all the other people doing business out there, many of whom would likely not have chosen to support such detrimental laws if they'd had their say. Hell, even artists roll their eyes at the middle men claiming to be their protectors.

    What does always surprise me is how much clout the entertainment industry has with the government, especially considering that in the grand scheme of things they are just a small and fairly insignificant industry compared to the rest. They may rake in a lot of cash (despite their claims to the contrary), but the actual contribution to the economic health of the country overall is pretty negligible by comparison, hence why it surprises me how they are able to dictate policy the way they do. Hopefully it will end once they've burned enough bridges due to their repeated interference. A much bigger industry with far more importance and clout will eventually stand up to them. All it will take is the entertainment industry profiting at the continual expense of the other business sectors. It's kind of hard to justify excuses, like retaining jobs and profits for example, when you're negatively impacting other businesses to the point that their net loss exceeds your net gains. At least I hope sanity will prevail when for every entertainment related job and dollar saved, two or more are lost elsewhere. Lets not kid ourselves though. It's not really about jobs, it's about money, control, and most importantly the power that these two things lead to. Democracy will end if left unchecked.

    As the saying goes, you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. Another good one is that change is the only constant in this universe, change which is definitely on the horizon. Dissent over the undue influence corporate entities have over the government is growing stronger each day, and some day soon their free ride is going to come to a sudden, screeching halt. I hope you all have your seat belts on! You've been warned and have chosen not to listen, so now your going to be reminded why it is the people who have all the power, and not you or your corporate lackeys. Thanks in large part to the various lending institutions, the world is waking up and wising up. Your lack of humanity, compassion, and understanding, as well as your greed, pettiness, and foolishness, have sealed your fate.

    /rant

    link to this | view in thread ]

  55. icon
    mhenriday (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 11:41am

    Delicious irony,

    that - a US diplomat complaining about China's great firewall ! Quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi, I presume....

    Henri

    link to this | view in thread ]


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