Information Society Watch

October 5, 2006, The Australian

This article illustrates the tensions between China and the internet. Just as human rights groups at Frankfurt’s book fair this week were criticizing internet bigwigs such as Yahoo and Google for complying with Chinese government requests to censor information, the media services chief of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games has declared that foreign media will be able to freely travel around China and enjoy uncensored access to the internet during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Since the internet is a crucial instrument for transmitting pictures and data, free internet use is key. However, given China’s track-record, many are skeptical that China will follow through on its promises.

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