Information Society Watch

28 October, 2007, Tom Espiner, ZDNet UK

The article presents the viewpoint of Google on Internet censorship and its role in China, which is one of the countries where the Internet and the information it provides is subject to state control. The CEO of Google presents the case for Internet censorship to be a factor in consideration of trade barriers and believes such steps will promote more freedom of speech. However, Google itself practises self-censorship in China and does not provide certain content deemed inadmissible by Chinese authorities, a position which seems to contradict its self avowed role in the promotion of access to all information. While senior executives explain their position in this regard, the economics of business comes with its own constraints, and thus Internet censorship remains a thorny issue awaiting a consensus for a meaningful solution.

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