Googling in China

[MrsMo]

In order to open a Chinese Google site, Google has given in to demands by the Chinese government to censor search results.
Google Inc. launched a search engine in China on Wednesday that censors material about human rights, Tibet and other topics sensitive to Beijing defending the move as a trade-off granting Chinese greater access to other information.

Within minutes of the launch of the new site bearing China's Web suffix ".cn," searches for the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement showed scores of sites omitted and users directed to articles condemning the group posted on Chinese government Web sites.

Searches for other sensitive subjects such as exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama, Taiwan independence, and terms such as "democracy" and "human rights" yielded similar results.

What do you think? Should Google have bowed to pressure from the Chinese government (it is, after all, their country) or should Google have stayed out of China rather than censor search results?

[Kitz E Kat]

Do they have any choice? They have to go in else someone else will.
It's a huge market, corporation's can't wait to get in.
That's the way it is these day's, profit's first,we may not like it, but that's the way it is!

BBC article : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4647398.stm
Seem's it's not goin down to well in certain quarters !!

But then did the US and UK government wan't to bomb Aljazera TV, so I guess most government's want to censor something, what's new !

[GrowMoreWeed]

Personally I think it's outrageous. How long before the UK (or other governments) think "Well if China can get away with it, why can't we?" and we all get censored internet.

I know China aren't alone in this kind of activity but that's no excuse. Communication between individuals (or groups) is surely a most fundamental of human rights. What right has ANYONE got to remove that? Governments included.

[MrsMo]

It is interesting to note that Google's stock price droped following their caving to the Chinese government. I think the public is speaking up the best way they can (hit 'em in the pocket book) for ethical business decisions.

[Kitz E Kat]

It is interesting to note that Google's stock price droped following their caving to the Chinese government. I think the public is speaking up the best way they can (hit 'em in the pocket book) for ethical business decisions.

While I do wish you were right, the stock price fall was due to lower than expected profit's, the profit's were still huge , but greedy people want more!

The reality is , investors don't give a shit about ethics !

[FrontDesk]

admit it or not, the world is all about capitalism.

[MrsMo]

Doesn't any corporation do the right thing? That disturbs me -- makes me sad.

[Kitz E Kat]

Mrs Mo, you should watch a pretty good documentary titled "The Corporation" .
I got it on Amazon, well worth a look.

Ethics and making money don't mix, but I am sure that greedy corporate type's do go to the bottle bank on Saturday morning, so they do their bit !!!!

[PhoenIXHighToweR]

Mrs.Mo,

now...i dont like talking politics...cuz THAT gets ugly.

but i saw a story on dateline that made me sick. a guy had just retired (age 65) when kenneth lay (president bush's biggest campaign contributor in 2000) embezzled all that money from enron. the guy lost ALL his enron retirement and had to go back to work at 65, even worse was the fact that he was then behind on his mortgage and faced losing his home. that enron trial is just now getting underway...how long ago was that???? i bet ya if he does get in any trouble at all.....it will be light punnishment...or i'd guess he might be pardoned on bushies way out of office

[Kitz E Kat]

That whole Enron thing is a very sad story, it prove's that capitalism need's to be kept in check.
Yeah that 65 year old will loose his house, end up on the street, and the fuck face that stole his money will get a rap on the knuckles.
That's not right.
At a minimun all his money should be taken from him and given to those that he stole from. Then lock the fucker up and throw away the key.

[SyntaxHeir]

That whole Enron thing is a very sad story, it prove's that capitalism need's to be kept in check.

Hold on right there. What say we change that quote to read CRIMINALS need to be kept in check.

[RemyZero]

Ever wondered if your government had google keep things from you? I have and at least now i know that google does do that sort of thing.

[Klaten]

Ever wondered if your government had google keep things from you? I have and at least now i know that google does do that sort of thing.

The reality is , investors don't give a shit about ethics !

Do they have any choice? They have to go in else someone else will.It's a huge market, corporation's can't wait to get in. That's the way it is these day's, profit's first,we may not like it, but that's the way it is!

In order to open a Chinese Google site, Google has given in to demands by the Chinese government to censor search results.

Information at the end of the day is key!
Just as an example, try to get some up to date satellite imagery of say NORAD or maybe the up to date order of battle for the American SSBN fleet. Some things, simply never, will nor, should be placed in to the general arena. There is however also to be taken in to consideration the ‘general interest’ to the public of information.



Hurricane Katrina was an example of the executives decision to withhold information from the public, unfortunately with tragic circumstances. Another example would be the withholding until very recently the work of Australian Nobel Prize winner, Sir Macfarlane Burnet. To quote the doctor, who toward the end of his career without a doubt held differing views to these held when he published this "There'll be some desperate problems facing Australia if Asiatic peoples are strengthened by adequate nutrition, and by the conquest of infectious disease. Malnutrition and disease in Asia have alone kept colored populations in check to our north."



What would have the general population of Australian thought during the late 1940’s early 50’s of someone entertaining the idea of unleashing a weapon(s) of mass destruction upon the neighbors to the north. Was the case for censorship in this case justified in order to stop hysteria and also warning a possible enemy of a weapon that may be used against them? Is censorship justified for the case of force protection? In what cases is it allowed or disallowed? Who decides?



The motives for withholding information should always be examined. It would be fantastic that in order for the government to withhold information from the public that a case should be put up for review. Unfortunately for the sake of expediency or what ever else you may choose to call it is rarely in this day and age done. So it is the case and thought for those that read and write articles like this to keep the debate alive, and hopefully one day stop the use of censorship just for the sake of personal interest and gain be it political financial or just spite.



PS. I’m not in China, so I don’t really give two hoots! I want my cheap TV thanks!