Online Censorship

Poll Results (Week 9)

noreply@blogger.com (JaN) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 03:19:00 +0000

Do you think Global Voices Advocacy is beneficial?

This is the last post which is the poll analysis..This poll question shows that 100% of people think that Global Voices Advocacy is beneficial..From the analysis of this poll question, we can conclude that Global Voices Advocacy is beneficial...I think that people chose Global Voices Advocacy is beneficial is because they think that it will provides useful information and educational guides to the users to protect their rights.

None of the respondents think that Global Voices Advocacy is not beneficial because it does not censor. Thus, they can express their thoughts without afraid that they will against the law.. Nowadays, people do not like to being censored.. including me..LOL

What do you think?? Feel free to comment on this topic..although this is the last post of this blog..Thank you very much for spending time to read this blog..Goodbye... =)

Peacefire guards free speech online

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:14:00 +0000

Peacefire is initiated in US in the year of 1996 particularly to represent the interests of people under 18 in preserving their First Amendment rights as internet users. Peacefire helps out users to disable blocked software from the computer.

Wonder how it works? =)

The two common ways used to disable the website/software are by using joining in the website Stuppidcensorship.com. But be aware that if you browse through this website you can be tracked and most popular censorware programs like Cyber patrol and CYBERsitter which are totally against the Peacefire.org software already have Stupidcensorship.com in their blocked list. Apart from that, users who can’t access to that website can install Circumventor to unblock certain websites.
*the information given is only for an educational purpose

Although, Peacefire.org stands out to protect First Amendment rights yet it happens to be against the use of online censorship. Censorware companies have been anti-acceptant of Peacefire.org since it’s against the online censorship. Perhaps this method is not recommended to be used in Malaysia since we do not practice the First Amendment rights over here.

Be a safe user and do not involve in dilemma where you can be tracked down. So, what do you think about Peacefire? Do you think it’s suitable to practice this method or is it always the best to block users from retrieving the blocked websites since it can be injuries if they got involved in the wrong internet activities? Do let us know about your opinion.

Blogging on online censorship issues helped me to learn so many advantages and disadvantages of it towards the nation and up to an individual. I’ve learnt the importance of not just online censorship but also online issues as of e-learning, piracy, legal issues, advertising, dating, gambling, gaming, shopping and social networking issues. This experience has been a very interesting learning process. All the while, for me internet was just checking mails, chatting, playing games and being totally engaged with Facebook and Friendster. But now I have learnt how depth internet can go to and I've learnt not to misuse the internet and I know yet all this is still a small portion of the whole internet world. I’m all set to learn more in upcoming time, I hope so are you… =)....Have a great day buddies, it was great experience being blogging with you all.

References:

Peacefire.org, Non-profitable organization,
[Online] Retrieved,18th March.
URL: http://www.peacefire.org

Peacefire.org, Non-profitable organization,
[Online HTML] Retrieved,18th March.
URL: http://www.peacefire.org/info/about-peacefire.shtml

Stupid Censorship.com, [Online] Retrieved, 18th March 2009.
URL: https://www.stupidcensorship.com/cgi-bin/nph-surf.cgi

Rating systems in Malaysia

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:10:00 +0000

Malaysians have one similar attitude call LACKADAISICAL which also applies to me. It is more popularly known as 'tidak apa' attitude. Based on the survey results, there are quite a number of respondents who does not care about the rating system before viewing it.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, all films in Malaysia are scrutinised and then categorised by the Film Censorship Board Film Control Division before being distributed and screened to the public. The board was established under the Film Censorship Act 1952 and was later replaced by the Film Censorship Act 2002. A panel is then appointed by the chairman of the board to view each film. Sounds complicated with all the strict procedures. The decisions made by the board on any film is either approved or disapproved.

U (Umum, literally General Audiences)

Film such as Transformers, Enchanted, High School Musical 3:Senior Year, The Dark Knight, Bolt, Mamma Mia, WALL-E are rated U.

PG-13
Parental guidance are suggested for children under 13. It was first introduced in Quantum of Solace, The Duchess, Slumdog Millionaire, The Visitor are rated PG-13.

18SG (Seram, Ganas, literally Graphic Violence and Horror/Terror)
Below18 requires accompanying adult. Film may contain strong violence, gore or horror/terror that can be unaccepted by some. Films such as the Saw series, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, My Bloody Valentine and Friday the 13th are rated 18SG.

18SX (Seks, literally Sexual Content)
Below 18 requires accompanying adult too. Film may contain sex scenes, nudity or sexual dialogues/references people may find objectionable. Films such as Lust, Caution, The Reader, The 40-year Old Virgin and Little Children are rated 18SX.

18PA (Politik, Agama, literally Strong Religious or Political Elements)

Film may contain elements which include religious, social or political aspects which people below 18 requires accompanying adult. Many people find this rating unnecessary, since it is a rare rating and it is used in films such as The Reaping and The Passion of Christ and it is not used till then. Since Malaysia is a multi-racial country, and religion being a sensitive issue, therefore there is a need for this rating.

18PL (Pelbagai, literally Variety)

An adult has to accompany those who are below 18 because the film may contain all the elements mentioned above. Film such as Sin City , The Wrestler, Milk , Watchmen are rated 18PL.

Some people think that film censoring is considered as irrelevant in today’s context. Tuan Haji Husain said that "Many have been questioning whether Film Censorship Board is still relevant with the open sky policy, as there are now broadband, internet and satellite facilities available. However, we are talking about 25 million people who are living in Malaysia. We have to bear in mind that only a small portion of the community has access to the modern facilities and the rest of the majority still depend on television networks as a source for enjoyment, thus film censoring is still relevant. In this context, National Censorship Board is still relevant though open sky policy is being practice."

Reference

Absolute Astronomy, Censorship in Malaysia [Online] Retrieved 16th March 2009
URL: http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Censorship_in_Malaysia

Sinema Malaysia Official Website, Editorial Interview with Tuan HJ Husain Hj Shafie, Chairman Malaysia's Film Censorship Board [Online, HTML] Retrieved 16th March 2009

URL: http://www.sinemamalaysia.com.my/main/index.php?mod=article&id=40

Poll Results (Week 8)

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 04:35:00 +0000

Do you think rating service is worth being implemented?

62.5% of the respondents agreed that rating service should be implemented because it is very helpful for users to know the rating of the content before viewing it.
37.5% of the respondents agreed that rating service should be implemented because because the users do not really care about the rating and just view it.

From poll analysis, this can be concluded that the majority preferred the implementation of rating service. Rating service gives people a better insight of how appropriate content would be for them. Especially for the parents, rating service would guide the parents to allow their children to either view the movie or not. For instance, in Malaysia, the current rating system states that viewer below 18 are forbidden to watch films or online issues that content excessive violent and horrifying scenes; non-excessive sex scenes or drug use and religious , political or mature telematic elements.

A few of the respondents felt that the rating service should not be implemented because most of them pay no interest on rating systems. Some state that the rating system would hinder the students to learn new things. Teenagers should be exposed to the world to prepare them for the future. Well, in this point parents play an important role to explain the significance of the actions in the movie to avoid confusion.

For me, I'll definitely support rating system. My little cousin desperately wanted to watch the 18SG horror movie. From that day onwards, I had to accompany her especially going to the washroom. The mind of a child is too fragile to accept such horrifying violence and murder.

What is your opinion?

Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 03:29:00 +0000

Hello friends, once again I’m back with another part of a content rating for the entertainment part. Earlier I discussed about the general rating service for the internet which is mostly used for publishing purpose. Where as for the entertainment part it differs a little.

As all of us know, entertainment is a part of our life. Right?

No entertainment! No life! =)

Entertainment are getting so involved into explicit elements like violence and some sex elements. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating is intended to provide concise and impartial information about the content in computer games so users can be informed on the rating before using it.

http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp

When users mainly parents who want to be secure their childrens from being exposed to explicit elements, they should adapt the habit of verifying the rating before using it. Practicing this habit will help to reduce the risk of kids and teenagers to be influenced by immorality elements.

Hope my post on how the rating is done in the entertainment part is helpful. So, do you verify the rating of the content before using it? Do share with us your thoughts. Have a great day.

References:

Entertainment Software Rating Board official website,

[Online], Retrieved 11th March 2009

URL:http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp

Global Voices Advocacy

noreply@blogger.com (JaN) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:13:00 +0000

This week I will talk about Global Voices Advocacy..Did anyone heard about it before?? I myself never heard about it before!!! Global Voices Advocacy is a global anti-censorship network of bloggers and online activists throughout the developing world that is dedicated to protecting freedom of expression and free access to information online.

The purpose of this network is to raise awareness of online freedom of speech issues, and to share tools and tactics from activists and bloggers facing censorship on different parts of the globe. Moreover, Global Voices Advocacy is not only provide support to its members but it also produce educational guides about anonymous blogging, anti-censorship campaigns, and online organizing. This network collaborates with software developers, activists, and bloggers to design new and more appropriate tools to protect our rights on the internet.

The director of Global Voices Advocacy is Sami ben Gharbia, a Tunisian free speech advocate and blogger based in the Netherlands. Global Voices Advocacy will publishes daily news updates on freedom of speech struggles on the internet worldwide. Besides that, everything on this website is free for republication in both commercial and non-commercial media with attribution. What do you think of this website?? Feel free to comment about it.. =)

References:

Global Voices Advocacy official website, About, [Online], Retrieved 3 March 2009,

URL:http://olive.aiou.edu.pk/nph-proxy.pl/000000A/http/advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/about/

SUHAKAM

noreply@blogger.com (JaN) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:29:00 +0000

Do you know what SUHAKAM is? Have you ever heard about it?? SUHAKAM is the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia which the abbreviation is Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia. SUHAKAM was established by Parliament under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999, Act 597. The functions of SUHAKAM are:

1) to promote awareness of and provide education relating to human rights;
2) to advise and assist Government in formulating legislation and procedures and recommend the necessary measures to be taken;
3) to recommend to the Government with regard to subscription or accession of treaties and other international instruments in the field of human rights;
4) to inquire into complaints regarding infringements of human rights.

After telling all of you of what SUHAKAM does, here it comes the SUHAKAM's powers. The powers of SUHAKAM are:

1) to undertake research by conducting programs, seminars and workshops and to disseminate and distribute the results of such research;
2) to advise the Government and/ or relevant authorities of complaints against them and to recommend appropriate measures to be taken;
3) to study and verify any infringement of human rights;
4) to visit places of detention in accordance with procedures as prescribed by laws relating to the places of detention and to make necessary recommendations;
5) to issue public statements on human rights as and when necessary;
6) to undertake appropriate activities as are necessary.

What do you think? Know more about SUHAKAM now? Please do leave your comments here.

References:

SUHAKAM official website, History, [Online], Retrieved 5 March 2009.
URL: http://www.suhakam.org.my/en/about_history.asp

SUHAKAM official website, Functions and Powers, [Online], Retrieved 5 March 2009.
URL: http://www.suhakam.org.my/en/about_functions.asp

Poll results (Week 7)

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:56:00 +0000

Do you think historical events should be censored?

75 % of the respondents agreed that historical events should be censored because as a citizen we need to know the history as our knowledge.

12.5% of the respondents agreed that historical events should not be censored because as a student we need to do past references regarding past history for our studies.

12.5% of the respondent agreed that historical events should censor because some bad events in history can be influential to the younger generation.

From the poll analysis, this can be concluded that majority supported that the historical events should be revealed and not censored for knowledge purposes. As citizens, we have the right to know the past history of our country. It is pathetic if we actually got to know our heritage and history from people of another country. The young generation needs to know the 13 May, 1969 incident so that they would understand and appreciate multi racial unity and national security.

Of course, historical events should not be censored as students need to research from the past history for their studies. For example, researcher needs to know the exact happenings and what have driven human to react in that situation. This is actually a study on human behavior. For instance, till today Japanese never educate their young generation about their propaganda and violence towards the people while conquering the world. This create curiousity among the teenagers in not knowing their roots and history.

Many disagreed that revealing the bad events of historical events can influence the young generation negatively. The era has changed that people these days are open-minded to the things they see. The problem or trials that occured in history can be an important or meaningful lesson to be learnt in future. History helps us to not repeat our mistakes again. It is the time to make changes and improve for the better. After all, nobody want to repeat our past mistakes if it is negatively.

It is actually the perspective that we look in. Glancing into the positive perspective, take history as the opportunity to learn to improve to be better. It is the moment that we can change our past mistakes and presson for the future.

Please leave your comments.
Happy holiday! Cheers =)

Rating Service << Internet >> Content Selection

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:25:00 +0000

The Recreational Software Advisory Council (RSACi) is the rating service for the internet. After the year of 1999, it is folded into Internet Council Rating Association (ICRA). This system is basically implemented for the use of parents to monitor their children’s activity online while practicing free speech online.

Wonder how does this rating works?

The ratings are a list of codes each with a letter and digit. Each letter initiates the type and the digit shows the ranking of how explicit the content is:

Letter = (l)anguage, (n)udity, (s)ex, (v)iolence
Digit = 4 (most), 1 (least), 0 (implying no content)

Example A,
1. Vulgar language – l4
2. Frontal nudity – n3

3. Passionate kissing – s1
4. Destruction of objects – v2

Table 1 - Level of explicit rating:

URL:http://256.com/gray/docs/pics/rsac.html

This is where PICS comes in work. PICS is a voluntary self rating specification recommended by W3C which is a Platform for Internet Content Selections which is a protocol that enables rating systems to be read and understood by browsers, web masters and search engines. It is the HTML code of rating systems. Example of the HTML tag for Example A would be:

URL:http://256.com/gray/docs/pics/rsac.html

Basically content rating for the internet is very helpful to aware the users' mainly parents to identify if that particular content is suitable for their children.

Well I hope I have given a short brief and inclusive of examples on how rating system and content selection are implemented. What do you think about this post, do feel free to share your thoughts with us. Have a great blast. =)

References:

Recreational Software Advisory Council official website
[Online], Retrieved 3rd March 2009.

URL:http://www.rsac.org/

Stephen Balkam, Content Rating for the Internet and Recreational Software, Recreational Software Advisory Council [Online], Retrieved 3rd March 2009.

URL:http://web.archive.org/web/19970414061624/www.rsac.org/talk/balkam1.html

Censoring history facts

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 04:35:00 +0000

History is an important subject that constructs what we are today. Without HISTORY, there will be no PRESENT, and without present, definitely there’s no FUTURE. Yet, history is dangerous and fragile.

Historical thought can be censored in widely diverging political and historiographical contexts. Yet the problems of censorship, often thought to be obvious, are rarely studied.

Online censorship is designed to literally block an information and content to the mass audience. Take as an example, the May 13 Incident that left a scar in the hearts of Malaysian especially among the old generation. The day that haunted the nation for the past decades was yet unexplainable. The riots led to a declaration of a state of national emergency and suspension of Parliament by the Malaysian government, while the National Operations Council (NOC) as established to temporarily govern the country between 1969 and 1971. Yet 2009, marks the 40th anniversary of 13 May, 1969.

Till today, there was still no proper closure. The incident just vanished to the air as years passes by like the speed of lightning. The topic was left abandon and untouchable, creating curiosity among the young generation. Even trying searching in the net, is tough as not much information is allowed to be revealed. Other historical issues like the violence of Second World War, Adolf Hitler, Nazi are being censored online to avoid others to remembered the pain and remorse that have gone through.

Perhaps, times have changed that the young generation needs to be educated about the history of their ancestors to appreciate their present.

Been the ambassador of the next generation, what do you think?

Reference
Baets, Antoon (2002) Censorship of Historical Thoughts , The World Guide

The Star Online Official Website, May 13, 1969:Truth and reconciliation ,[Online] ,28 Feb 2009
URL: http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/5/11/lifefocus/21181089&sec=lifefocus

Vote Results (Week 6)

noreply@blogger.com (JaN) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:30:00 +0000

Do you think Blue Ribbon's mission should be supported?

Below is the result of poll question of week 6 shows that 83.30% of people think that Blue Ribbon's mission should be supported, while 16.70% of people think that Blue Ribbon's mission should not be supported.

From the analysis of this poll question, we can conclude that Blue Ribbon's mission should be supported by the people. I think that majority of the people chose to support Blue Ribbon' mission is because everyone think that they has the rights to voice out their opinion and thoughts. They do not want to be restricted by the law and speak whatever they want.

I myself chose to support Blue Ribbon's mission because I can express my opinion without afraid that I will against the law. This my own opinion. How about all of you?? What's your opinion??? Please feel free to comment.. ^^

Improve!!! But how???

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:38:00 +0000

Well all the while we have mentioned on how online censorship is implemented and what are the consequences without online censorship. Now I’ll discuss some ideas on how online censorship can be improved and worked on.

Censorship is implemented in most websites or only on certain elements in a webpage but yet it just doesn’t work at the right place when it is needed the most. For example, when a person is viewing a website most of the time pop-up links to unsecured website are usually not blocked but some advertisement pop-ups are immediately blocked. Although the advertisements may not be dangerous, it is just annoying to be seen everywhere on the webpage. I realise censorship works most energetically for those least importantly needs to be blocked…. =)

Well to make censorship work in a better way, reinforcement of online censorship has to be made but before going deep in the sea we have to go and pass the shore first right? Just like that before implementing some big changes on online censorship, a small one has to be done first.

Firstly, pop-up links of unsecured websites should be completely blocked because it may content harmful elements and to those advertisement pop-ups can be minimal in a webpage, so that advertisers can still advertise and at the same time users will not get too annoyed.

Secondly, censorship through intimidation can be implemented, where it can be a threat from the government to warn the users that their online activities are monitored. This method can be very effective to slowly reduce people from viewing pornography websites and also doing illegal activities online. The fear of being monitored will decrease users from involving into immoral and illegal activities online. Another method can also be used, to those websites which consist elements of 18 and above, registration should be required for users to log in the website, so that their details like name and identification number can be recorded which definitely erupts fear in users knowing that they can be tracked down if there is any immoral and illegal offence is committed online. Well I believe implementing these methods will help to reduce the bad activities online and at the same time to make use of censorship at the right time of need.

That’s about it from me. Your comment matters, so don’t forget to share with us your idea on how online censorship can be improved. Have a great day ahead. =)

Blue Ribbon Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (JaN) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:33:00 +0000

The pink ribbon campaign focused on prevention of breast cancer on women. The white ribbon campaign is to raise awareness on violence against women. I bet all of you have heard about this popular ribbon campaigns. But Blue Ribbon... have you ever heard about it? Probably you will be saying aiya! why got so many colour?? Actually Blue Ribbon Campaign is a campaign that supports free speech online.

According to Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), they are fighting that everyone should have the rights to blog anonymously because they think that it is their right to write blog anonymously in the internet. You should also have the rights to keep your sources confidentially and make fair use of intellectual property. Besides that, they helped to fight for the rights to allow reader's comments without fear. You need not to afraid that you will against the law because it is your freedom to comment.

Moreover, they fight for the right to protect your server from Government seizure and they are still trying to fight for the freely blog about Elections. The Electronic Frontier Foundation said that everyone should have the right to blog at your workplace and have the right to access as media. Moreover, they encourage people that to know about your rights and prepare to defend themselves before it is too late.

Below is the Blue Ribbon Campaign icon which can link to the website of blue ribbon.

Sources:

Blue Ribbon Campaign website, Blue Ribbon Campaign Introduction [Online], Retrieved 20th February 2009.
URL: http://www.umsl.edu/~munsr/blueribbon/1.htm
Electronic Frontier Foundation website, Help Us Protect Free Speech Online [Online], Retrieved 20th February 2009.
URL: http://w2.eff.org/br/

Vote Results (Week 5)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:43:00 +0000

Do you think firewall needs to be implemented in colleges/ universities?

Below is the result of poll question of Week 5 which shows 57.10% of voters have agreed that firewall shouldn’t be implemented in colleges and universities because they can’t do further research for their assignments/ project, where as, 42.90 % have agreed that firewall should be implemented in the colleges and universities because people may view unsecured websites and no one agreed that firewall shouldn’t be implemented because it’s their freedom to access to all websites.

From the poll analysis, it shows that many have stated that implementing firewall in colleges and universities becomes a problem for them to do further research for their assignments or projects. This is because, as a college student many of them has lots of assignments and projects to be accomplished and to get those tasks done they need further reading and research by browsing in the internet.

Most of college/ university students access internet by using the computers provided in the free lab. When they tend to browse for information, firewall either blocks the entire website or maybe some elements in a website. For an example, most colleges and universities block the access to Youtube, for some students like advertising students, when they want to view some advertisements as an reference for their assignment, they wouldn’t be able to access to it because firewall blocks the entire Youtube website.

I bet many would be nodding your head in agreement with my statement! =)

In the other hand, 42.90% of people have agreed that firewall should be implemented because people may tend to view unsecured websites. It is fairly agreed that as a student most of us tend to view many unknown websites everyday. Intentionally or unintentionally we tend to view some websites which maybe be unsecured to view. Unsecured is in the sense where the content maybe immoral or worse comes worse it spreads virus. What happens if the virus spread over the entire system? I believe no one would love that to happen. To solve this problem, the college and universities management has too only filter and block the exact website or elements that are harmful to people and not forgetting as a student we also have a big responsibility to avoid ourselves from viewing or accessing to those websites that are unsecured and invite unwanted guest --->viruses. Hopefully people can start using the internet in a more appropriate and safe way.

Do leave us your comment and have a great weekend and don’t forget to Thank God It’s Friday =P

Filters in libraries

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:13:00 +0000

Internet is educational. Yes it’s a fact. Students always mentioned using internet is for research purposes but what lies behind it?

They might be absorbing materials about obscenity, bomb recipes, militia materials, hate speech of every stripe, political on the Internet. Well, there is no universal definition of what is objectionable and what is decent. Students are exposed to these materials every minute on the Internet everyday and measures had being taken to prevent this from happening.

Internet filters are mainly used in schools and libraries. The main reason is to protect students from explicit and improper contents. Two main methods used to filter the Internet:

Keyword blocking filters

It uses pre-defined lists of objectionable terms. It is also known as “content identification,” “content analysis,” and “phrase blocking.” These filters search the website for certain words, usually words with sexual references, before it is displayed and then determine whether or not it is suitable for viewing. Because it has to search the page before it allows it to be displayed, it can slow down Internet viewing. The filters also assume that words only have a specific meaning which is not true. Words that are used innocently or technically are automatically presumed to be objectionable. For instance, “chicken breasts” or “breast cancer” could just as easily be blocked as the phrases “human breasts” or “women’s breasts”. Due to the keyword blocking filter’s unreliability, over six percent of blocked websites have been “overblocked”. Improving keyword blocking is almost impossible without first creating artificial intelligence that can understand that words can be used in different ways. Despite the faults of keyword blocking, it still provides a high level of protection for children on the Internet.

Website blocking or “site” blocking

It can be defines as a blocking method in which people review Internet websites and decide whether they meet the criteria to be blocked. The websites are then put on a “site list” that the filter uses to block the websites. Internet robots are used to flag Internet sites that could potentially contain objectionable content for humans to review. However, many problems arise in this method as well. The Internet robots can still miss out some objectionable websites that strays too far from what is being checked. Even using this method, websites can either be overlooked or over blocked. Another problem is that different filters categorize websites differently. Websites dealing with homosexuality could be grouped into different categories like “Sexuality,” “Lifestyles,” or “Adult”. It will only be blocked depending on what category it is in and what categories are selected to be blocked.

There are mixed feelings about the use of Internet filters in school and colleges. Most schools, however, choose and support filters.Many schools complain that it costs too much to implement and maintain filters, and that internet is for educational and research tools. Internet filters with the aid of teacher monitoring allow students to properly use the Internet and focus on their work.

Speaking about the matter, I just can’t stop my ‘kaypoh-ism’. I have done some experimenting on INTI filters and realize that INTI uses keyword blocking and websites blocking methods. As you know, there was a time when Youtube was banned. It was quite disappointing as some students needed to watch and visualize commercials to spark up their creativity.. Doesn’t matter whether it is censor or not, I believe that we have the wisdom and knowledge ability to judge what is right and wrong.

Internet Censorship Law around the world

noreply@blogger.com (JaN) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:10:00 +0000

Today, I would like to talk about internet censorship around the world. The first country that I want to talk about their internet censorship is Sweden.

Sweden

In Sweden, the Parliament legislated the "Act (1998:112) on Responsibility for Electronic Bulletin Boards". Electronic bulletin board is defined as to include storage of data on the Internet such as web pages, excluding personal mailboxes. The law places an charge on service providers who store information to remove such as instigation of rebellion, racial agitation, child pornography and illegal description of violence.

China

China had used a filtering system to avoid delivery of offending information by blocking the access to about 100 websites. For instance, western news outlets, Taiwanese commentary sites, anti-China dissident sites and sexually explicit sites. According to Associated Press, China has issued its most intrusive Internet controls to date, ordering service providers to screen private e-mail for political content and holding them responsible for subversive postings on their Web sites in 2002. That's all for China and which country will be the next??

France

France has been enforcing the laws prohibiting race hate material concerning illegal material on the internet. For instance, in 2000, a French judge had ruled that USA Yahoo! Inc must blocked the access of French users to sites that about race hate memorabilia. Yahoo! said that it was technically impossible for it to block Internet users in France from searching Nazi-related content on USA websites and it is French site that followed with France's laws forbidding advertising Nazi memorabilia.

United States

The USA Government has enacted two Federal laws intended to censor offensive online content. The first law, The Communications Decency Act (CDA) was enacted in February 1996. The CDA prohibited Internet users from using the Internet to communicate material that, under contemporary community standards, would be deemed patently offensive to minors under the age of eighteen. The second law is Child Online Protection Act (COPA) which is more narrowly focussed and covers only communications that are made for commercial purposes on the World Wide Web.

These are the online censorship law around this world. Online censorship should be enforced all the time so that people will not simply do things that is against the law. What do you think? Do drop me comments.. Thx... =)

HaPpY VaLeNtInEs DaY!!!

http://bluebuddies.com/Smurf_Picture_and_Files/00000002/Have_A_Smurfy_Valentines_Day.jpg

Sources:
URL: http://www.efa.org.au/Issues/Censor/cens3.html

Online Censorship? How they do it?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:01:00 +0000

There are few techniques of censorship implemented online. Those that I’m going to share about are pixelization, bleep noise, captioning, censorware and firewall. Here how it goes like:

Pixelization is where in a video or image the part that needs to be censored will be blurred or shown in a lower resolution.

http://leifharmsen.deviantart.com/art/Jason-raw-only-37205296

It’s a way which allows people to view it without seeing the censored part. It’s a way where we can avoid or stop people from being exposed to nudity or profanity images or video.

Bleep noise are inserted to censor the vulgar word that is been used in a speech or it even can be a small part in a song or video. For example, most western songs consist vulgar words which some music portals have censored it and some have not. Even the video clips or drama series or even news cast in video portals, those elements that are vulgar or not encouraged to be listen usually bleep noise are inserted to censor it.

Captioning is used to avoid vulgar words in replacement with an array of asterisks. This technique is used when writing article or even in song lyrics, an example of Eminem song:

"Ohh Beeby, the way you shake it, I can’t believe it, I ain’t never seen an *** like that the way you move it, you make my peepee go DOING DOING DOING. I don’t believe it, it’s almost to good to be true I ain’t never seen an *** like that the way you move it, you make my ****** go DOING DOING DOING"

http://www.anysonglyrics.com/lyrics/e/eminem/Ass-Like-That-Lyrics.htm

Captioning is mostly used in blogs. Bloggers love to express their feelings and expressions in their blog post but yet we are not allowed to do so because of censorship. I believe that most of us don’t wish to asterisks all the word that we want to express yet we don’t have a choice right?....=)

Censorware is mostly used by parents or guardian to filter or block internet content that can be harmful to their children. The system works based on the settings emphasized to block certain content/ website from being used by children. The settings of the software system determine whether to permit acess to that particular content or website. It prevents kids from misusing the internet in the wrong way. This is a good precaution to be practiced by all parents and guardians to prevent kids from being influenced by unsecured and immorality elements in the internet.

Firewall is a combination of software and hardware which can do filtering. This system is usually implemented by an organization to restrict people from viewing or access into unsecured/ explicit sites. For example, an host organization implements firewall to prevent their staff from accessing social network sites like Facebook and Friendster and instant messaging applications like MSN or Yahoo messenger. This is because people tend to be to keen into instant messaging and busy writing comments on people's ‘Wall’ in Facebook where they end up not completing their task. Sounds familiar… =P ...Another example will be in most colleges where they restrict their students from accessing into Facebook, Friendster, You-tube and many other entertainment websites.

I hope that the information that I have shared is helpful to you. Don’t forget to drop us your comment on the techniques that are implemented for online censorship.

Have a great bloggin-tines day tommorrow…Enjoy =)

Vote Results (Week 4)

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:21:00 +0000

Do you think online censorship should be reinforced?

Below is the results of the survey poll , 58.33% of the respondents agreed that online censorship should be reinforced because it affects the morality of the individual negatively, whereas 25 % of the respondents agreed to the reinforcement of online censorship to enhance national security. The remaining 16.67% is the percentage of respondents disagreed to reinforce online censorship because it is the individual's responsibility for their behavior. No respondent disagree that online censorship reinforcement would restricts an individual's freedom of expression.

From the poll, this can be concluded that majority supported that reinforcement of online censorship is important to protect the morality of the society. Well, like what I mentioned in the earlier blogs, the purpose of online censorship is to guard the little ones from being involved in pornography, online gaming, and online gambling and so on.

Online censorship definitely protects the national security. Defense Ministry signifies the country state of life. Once the defense being corrupted, everything goes hay wired. Just imagine that Google map can zoomed into the location of Putrajaya or worst still White House or Pentagon where the leader of the world is. Terrorism rate would increase tremendously like a thermometer in a boiling soup. The world literally will be out of control.

Some believed that online censorship should not be reinforced because it is our personal role to manage and control your attitude and behavior. What are we, if this online technology controls our lives instead of us controlling. We don't want technology to be the Master and we the slaves.

There are various reasons on why no respondent actually agree that online censorship should not be reinforced because it is violating or restricting an individual freedom of expression. This is because nothing can change the fact that we are Asians. For example, since young, we have been taught that sex is a taboo word, the unspoken word. Everyone will give you a stare if you ever mentioned the issues regarding this. Unlike the Westerners, they are more open-minded compared to Asians. They are the pioneers of arts and communication and mostly everything. They had always appreciated that the nakedness of the physical body is actually an art of expression. In US, The First Amendment strongly protects an individual's freedom of expression and speech. Well I would said, too much exposure can be a destruction.

Please leave your comments.
Have a great week ahead! Cheers =)

Vote Results (Week 3)

noreply@blogger.com (JaN) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 05:30:00 +0000

What is the most appropriate way to create awareness about online censorship to the people?

The third poll question of week 3 shows that 55% of people think that internet is the most appropriate way to create awareness about online censorship to them, while 30% of people said that advertisement will be the most appropriate way to create awareness about online censorship to them. Besides that, there are 10% of people think that articles in newspaper and magazine is the most appropriate way to create awareness about online censorship to them, whereas, 5% of people think that online censorship as a compulsory topic in IT related subjects will be the most appropriate way to create awareness.

From the analysis of this poll question, we can conclude that internet would be the most appropriate way to create awareness about online censorship to the people. I think that majority of the people chose internet as the most appropriate way to create awareness about online censorship to them is because most of the time they are using internet. Hence,they will be able to aware about online censorship. Besides that, they will get to know more about online censorship by surfing the internet. I think that minority of the people have chose compulsory topic in IT related subject as the most appropriate way to create awareness about online censorship is because not everyone take IT as their subject. Moreover, there are only few people who have take IT as their subject and not everyone take IT as their subject. Therefore, it have less people to choose this answer.

I myself have chose internet as the most appropriate way to create awareness about online censorship because most of the time I'm using my computer to surf the internet. Thus, I will get to know more about online censorship through internet.

Please drop some comment for me.. =)

So Scandalous!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:45:00 +0000

Q: What happens when online censorship doesn’t come in handy for celebrities?
A: Their reputation will be defamed, until there is no way to escape. =(

Remember Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Hero, Rush Hour 2, and Memoirs of a Geisha? Then you will surely remember her!!! =)

Zhang Ziyi or more familiarly recognized as Ziyi Zhang in Hollywood who is the most dazzling and stunning beautiful actress and model of China rocked up in many top movies in Hollywood. She is well known for her mind-blowing performance and her splendid martial art movements. Well her acting and modeling career is going on gracefully with many award winning movies.

Just like the speed-breaker on the road, there was a sudden bump on her career journey which were the eye-bopping explicit photographs and videos of her caught topless on the beach which was up streamed in the internet.

http://www.paparazziplaze.com/zhang_ziyi/zhang_ziyi03.html

Below is a video of a news cast in China about Zhang Ziyi's scandal issue in the beach. Referred to the news, it is said that paparazzi have snapped Zhang Ziyi's picture and she seems to be angry of this act. Eventually, it has been a suspect that Zhang Ziyi could have foul played by hiring people to snap those pictures, because the snapshots seem to be very close and clear. This issue was not just a defamation for herself, where as, it is also for the nation because of Zhang Ziyi's behaviour in the public place which is very humiliating. It also have roused up many asking, "How could a Chinese woman forgot to value her dignity and grace?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKGqj2dZjnQ&feature=related

*knock * knock*- Hello! Online censorship where is it?

Actress Zhang Ziyi’s case has been a good example, if only online censorship is emphasised when it’s needed this sort of explicit exposures of celebrities could have been avoided. As we all know, most children’s and youth’s nowadays love to browse every bits of their favourite celebrity. Can you imagine those viewing photos and video like above? Viewing this kind of sites surely isn’t going to benefit anyone, eventually it will influence them to get engaged with more immorality elements on the internet. When this behavior accumulates in a person, sooner or later not even a single drop of morality is going to remain in them.

The Japanese translation as below:
Accompliments to (http://www.worldlingo.com/)
女優のチャンZiyiの例はこの種類の名声の明確な露出を避けたかもしれない必要としたらオンライン検閲だけ強調されれば、ずっとよい例である。言うまでもなく、ほとんどの子供および青年はこの頃はあらゆる彼らの好みの名声のビットを拾い読みすることを愛する。上でのようなそれらの観覧の写真そしてビデオを想像できるか。この種類の場所を見ることはインターネットのより多くのimmoralityの要素と従事させていて得るために確かに影響を及ぼすそれらにだれでもの結局それ寄与することを行っていない。この行動が人で集まるとき、遅かれ早かれに道徳の単一の低下はそれらに残るだろう。

http://www.worldlingo.com/en/products_services/worldlingo_translator.html

This activity has to be stopped IMMEDIATELY!!! Internet censorship has to be reinforced and implemented and used for right purpose or not we would be facing a big crisis with the development of today’s children and youth. Do you agree? Do let us know your opinion! =D

Reference:
Hello Ziyi.us [Online], Retrieved 4th February 2009.
Url: http://www.helloziyi.us/Biography.htm

Moral downs, Censor ups

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 07:00:00 +0000

http://img28.picoodle.com/img/img28/8/6/26/f_fSexual2me7m_39e1697.jpg

Pornography? Profanity? Violence ? Brutality ?

These are the common words used to describe the youths of today. Delinquency issues like playing truant, pornography addiction, premarital sex, gangsterism, vandalism have been headlines in the newspapers. What are we foreseeing as citizens, if these continue to snatch away our country's hope in emerging to the eyes of the world? Who will then be leading the country? Now, this is a serious issue that has been haunting the government to further enforced online censorship.

Pornography is one of the prior reasons on why online censorship was reinforced. There are millions of pornographic sites, and they also happen to be the most advertised sites. Even children end up having access to pornographic material on the Internet. Porn sites stir up and arouse their sexual desire that cause one to act in an impulsive behavior and manner. Teenage hood is the stage where a teenager starts to discover themselves. This is the moment when they are easily been curious to their physical body, emotional feelings, BGR (boy-girl-relationships) and self esteem.

The advancement of internet makes it so convenient to search for something. Just a-click-away, and the information you sought after just appeared. Out of curiosity, teenagers go online to find out the hidden mystery of the unspoken taboo word. There it started, continued with pornography addiction. As the saying goes, "Curiosity kills the cat”. This definitely erodes moral values and results in increases in teen pregnancy, rape, sexual abuse, immorality, infidelity, masturbation and other social problems.

The negative effects of pornography is teen pregnancy which has been increasing from year to year.

http://women4hope.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/teens-pregnancy.jpg

Sexual activity has been found to be an indicator of a larger lifestyle pattern of unhealthy risk behaviors, including using tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs, and being involved in violence. According to a study of youth ages 12 to 16 published in Pediatrics, found no virginal boys were four times more likely to smoke and six times more likely to have ever used alcohol than boys who were virgins. Pornography is the root of all these social problems and has to be resolved before it gets critical.

The hot cases of Nurin and Sharlinie have shocked the nation, how rebellious and immoral one can be. Online censorship has to be reinforced to disentangle the worsening of youth issues. I believe, parental guidance, education, society and the government plays a part in developing high morality between the youths today. Do you agree that online censorship should be reinforced? Do share your opinion..

For more information, visit Online Victimization of Youth

References

World Assembly of Youth official website, Youth in Internet , Speech by Datuk Seri Hj Mohd Rustam, Chief Minister of Melaka and President of the World Assembly of Youth [Online, doc], Retrieved 2 February 2009
URL: http://www.way.org.my/Speeches/Korea%20-%20August%202005%20-.doc

Thornburgh, Dick and S. Lin, Herbert (2002), Youth, Pornography and the Internet , National Academy Press, Washington DC

Censorship or No Censorship???

noreply@blogger.com (JaN) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 04:10:00 +0000

Is all about Malaysia’s online censorship... Is there online censorship for Malaysia?? According to The Globe and Mail, Malaysia plans laws that will prosecute bloggers and authorities who insult Islam. In 1999, our former Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir had said that there would be no online censorship. He had also advised the Cabinet to dispense with attempts on online censorship. How about our Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi?? Will there be online censorship???

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200803/r230915_922256.jpg

http://www.yawningbread.org/arch_2006/pic-624b.jpg

Prime Minister Adbullah Ahmad Badawi backed civil defamation lawsuits against two of the country’s most popular political bloggers, Jeff Ooi and Ahiruddin Bin Attan. According to Joel Simon, executive director of The Committee to Protect Journalist ( CPJ), the Prime Minister’s remarks and support for this legal action against bloggers send a message that could well intimidate online writers and suppress the growth of the country’s new media. In 2006, the Communications and Multimedia Act had protected internet-based publications and blogs from state censorship, helped fill Malaysia’s new gap and prohibit the online publications of “defamatory or false information”.

According to Datuk Shaziman, the government only gave “general instruction” to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to allow all blogs and websites to function provided they adhered to provisions under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 in 2008. Besides that, Datuk Shaziman stated that 127 websites and blogs have been blocked for contravention of various provisions of the act. Moreover, our Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar stated that everyone is subject to the law even websites and blogs, they did not intend to restrain people’s freedom or right to express themselves but sometimes people might publish things that are libelous, slanderous or defamatory and the government will have to take action.

Our Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi had issued a clear warning that anyone who spreads false news on a blog or via SMS (short message system) about the country’s situation will be arrested as a threat to national harmony. Moreover, he also warned that anyone who puts inaccurate information on a blog, website or online portal could be liable and be investigated and arrested if the content troubled national harmony and let the public lose faith in the nation’s economic policies. Our Energy, Water and Communications Minister Lim Keng Yaik stated that bloggers are not above the law for what they publish in cyberspace. “Local bloggers must control the contents of their blogs and be responsible. If the content is seditious, they will have to face the music,” he said.

False or inaccurate information could make people including investors to lose faith in the economy and the country’s development programs. Hey, bloggers… Don’t ever spread false news to people via internet or SMS. You might bring trouble to yourselves. Think carefully before you do so. There is online censorship in Malaysia, remember about it… XD

Feel free to drop your comment here… =)

Sources:
URL: http://www.marketingvox.com/internet-censorship-strengthens-in-malaysia-kazakhstan-and-other-countries-031803/
URL: http://www.efa.org.au/Issues/Censor/cens3.html
URL: http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/2008/08/30/who-caused-malaysia-today-to-be-blocked/
URL: http://cpj.org/2007/01/prime-minister-attacks-online-critics.php
URL: http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=6888

Vote Results (Week 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:18:00 +0000

Do you think online censorship can benefit national security?

The second week’s poll results states that 72% of people have agreed that online censorship benefits the national security, whereas, 14% of people have disagreed that online censorship benefits the national security and another 14% of people aren’t sure if online censorship benefits the national security or not.

From the analysis we can conclude that online censorship does benefits the national security.

How?

Exposures of immorality elements and political or racial issues can evoke chaos in the country. Such elements or issue reaches the mass faster by internet compared to other media. To overcome such dilemma, online censorship helps to either ban or reduce people from viewing such elements. For instance, the newer generation is so involved in internet activities like games, music and video portals where they can easily be influenced by the vulgar or violent elements in it and can you imagine the consequence of it when people practice it around?

Another example is the recent threat to the nation which is dead of an Indian guy in the police custody. It has become a racial riot because the family claims as he has been killed in police custody and the Indians claim it as bias behaviour of police towards the Indians. This is because of the distribution of the images and videos through Youtube and social networking site like Facebook. Incites people to join networking groups to discuss information about this case which maybe false news, they seem to interpret among themselves and at the end it rises up people to be against the police and the government.

Now can you get a clear picture of how tricky it becomes when online censorship was not enforced at this time? Online censorship is not used when it is needed, that is why some people assume that it doesn't benefits national security.

To stop this kind of issues to happen, reinforcement of the online censorship law has to be made so that the misuse of the internet could be finally stopped or not the history will repeat itself.

To those who were not sure if online censorship benefits national security, we hope the information that we gave helped you to get a better picture how online censorship benefits the national security. We will get back to you with more exciting poll questions. Don't hesitate to drop us your comments.

Have a great day ahead =)

Political censorship

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:00:00 +0000

"I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington. I'm asking you to believe in yours."

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/barack-obama-talks-about-housing-crisis-1

Change.. The successful campaign kicked off by Barack Obama, the President of United States of America, has tremendously impact the nation and also the world to change for a better tomorrow. To change for what we need. Just glancing through Barack's speeches on online website is just overwhelming.

What is his weapon tool for being such an inspiration to America and the world?

The campaign was organised wisely using the online tools to reach to the people regardless of age and race. His speeches were published in online websites to motivate people To Vote for Obama for changes. Everyone is just going bonkers about his speech that captures the heart of millions. Barack TV combined videos of Barack with their team throughout their Presidential Campaign. Not forgetting, Facebook, my Space, Twitter, Digg , Flickr, YouTube and other sites. Obama is everywhere in all the social networking sites to stay connected with his people. I would say, a very modernised and brilliant way for a political man to extend his network and to empathise the needs of the citizens. This was never done by any politicians before. I truly believe that Internet is an ideal tool to spread and convey the message to the mass audience from all generation. Internet is very useful in politics if it was used wisely to convey the message of unity and democracy.

But on the opposite, only minutes into his presidency and Barack Obama had already been censored by the Chinese. According to Los Angelos Times, references to communism and to dissent in his inaugural address were deleted from Chinese-language translations in the state news media.

During a television report, state-run CCTV abruptly cut away from the English-language video of Obama's speech Tuesday, leaving the anchorwoman and a Washington correspondent clearly befuddled about how to fill the airtime.The sentence that seemed to most irritate the Chinese came when Obama said, "Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions."

Another offending passage was Obama's admonition that "those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history." Because there was no easy way to disguise the president's meaning, many Chinese news sites omitted it.

The time difference pushed the inaugural address past 1 a.m. in China, so few viewers were watching live. If anything, reports about the censoring that circulated throughout the day might have drawn more Internet-savvy young people in China to read the speech later in English or on uncensored websites out of Hong Kong.

Obama's remarks about "facing down" communism generated much debate online. Chinese critics were irritated mostly that he lumped communism together with fascism, while others suggested that he wasn't referring to China but to the former Soviet Union. Some commented that Obama is speaking the truth, some said that it has insulted 1.3 billion Chinese.

Since the election, Obama has become a popular figure among young Chinese, with a Chinese translation of his book "The Audacity of Hope" soaring to the bestseller list. But China's leadership has shown concern that the new president will be far tougher on trade and human rights issues than President Bush was.

In a nutshell, online censorship has the advantage and disadvantage on politics. It is up to the individual to decide for himself. Is China ready for the "Obama change"? Or democracy it's just something impossible ?? What do you think?

References:

Barack Obama Official Website [Online] Retrieved 26th January 2009
URL: http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

Obama Speeches Official Website (Online, HTM] Retrieved 26th January 2009
URL: http://www.obamaspeeches.com/index.htm

Barbara Demick, Los Angelos Times, Chinese media Censor Obama's inaugural speech [Online] Retrieved 26th January 2009

URL:http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/inauguration/la-fg-china-censor22-2009jan22,0,5641912.story

China = Online Censorship strictest??

noreply@blogger.com (JaN) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 05:03:00 +0000

Let's talk about China's online censorship today.. Is China's online censorship really the strictest? Let me show you all some examples.. For instance, an internet user in China searches for the word "persecution", he or she will see a blank screen showing that "page cannot be displayed." There are lots more words that the internet users in China cannot search for.. such as "Tibetan independence", "democracy movements" or weird sounding terms like "oriental red space time" which is the code for an anti-censorship video made secretly by reporters at China's state TV station. An activist on AIDS and other issues, Hu Jia was sentenced to 3½ years in jail for articles that he had wrote for Boxun.com, a U.S based Chinese language website that was blocked in China. Gillian Chung, the Hong Kong pop duo "Twins" was involved in a sex video scandal and China had blocked her even though she apologized.

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRWyYNab898

However, the Chinese government had denied that anyone has been arrested for internet postings, despite a series of dissidents jailed in recent years for online comments criticizing corruption and calling for democratic change. They said that no one should ever be prevented from posting news online or writing a blog which taps more than 100 journalists who are keeping them informed. Aren't they too strict in online censorship? Does anyone agree with me??

These are the methods that China used to suppress information:

Creating Bottlenecks

According to journalist James Fallows, internet traffic to China is channeled through three computer centers which are near Beijing, Shanghai and the southern city of Guangzhou. Chinese authorities can easily monitor all traffic into or out of the country by building in chokepoints.

Checking Internet Traffic for Subversive Material

This is like police dogs that sniff airport luggage for illegal drugs. The Chinese install “packet sniffers” and special routers to inspect data as they cruise past the chokepoints. They can block the connection when the detectors spot a Chinese internet user trying to visit a suspect website. Web users will get a note that warn them to behave or apologizing for technical problems.

Demanding Self-Censorship

Beijing’s internet controls are strictest where Chinese authorities control commercial websites for what appears on them. The authorities even issue orders to website managers through mobile phone text messages and demand that they comply within 30 minutes.

Issuing Propaganda

The Chinese authorities in the southern boomtown of Shenzhen had created two cartoon cybercops- the male named Jingjing while the female named Chacha that will pop up on websites to remind internet users that they are being watched. Chinese officials also order websites to reprint official propaganda such as a report encouraging internet users to tolerate by online etiquette.

Getting Outside Help

China had policed the internet with assistance from U.S firms- Cisco Systems. For example, China used original routers that supplied by Cisco to monitor internet traffic. Google had created a censored search engine for China. Users at other countries who search for images of “Tiananmen Square” through Google can get pictures from the 1989 pro-democracy protests that ended in a crackdown that left hundreds dead and included the iconic photograph of a lone man staring down a line of Chinese tanks. While in China, users can only get tourist images of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City across the street. Yahoo turned over e-mail that authorities used to jail a Chinese journalist who leaked information about China’s attempts to censor coverage of the anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown.

Censorship Loopholes

A company named Dynamic Internet Technology created a software, Freegate that finds holes in the firewall and takes Chinese internet users to banned websites. The owner of Dynamic Internet Technology, Xia sent millions of e-mail messages into China for customers such as Voice of America and the activist group Human Rights in China. The e-mails contain links to forbidden sites at an ever-changing list of temporary internet addresses, part of an effort to stay a step ahead of Chinese censors. The Chinese government was reluctant to admit anything had gone wrong, so users turned to defector websites to get practical information on weather conditions and rail service. Chinese authorities even constantly find new ways to plug the holes that Freegate finds. Chinese internet users also use decidedly low-tech methods to avoid official attempts to censor their e-mail or online commentary. The authorities had try to update their list of banned terms which now running into the hundreds to include those with creative punctuation.

Can you all believe it?? China is really strictest in online censorship.. They eventually have so many methods to censor on the internet and some of it I can’t even believe that they will use the method… I hope that they will loosen their online censorship..

Kindly drop me a comment.. =)

Sources:
URL: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2008-04-22-InternetBandits_N.htm
URL: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/08/tech/main2164867.shtml