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US duplicity in Internet freedom
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-28 07:49
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US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized China's Internet policy recently, saying information online should be accessible freely. This reveals the double standards of the US governmen, says an article on People Net. Excerpts:
In a recent speech, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized China for the Google controversy and said she would make free access to online information a mission of her foreign policy.
That indeed was a smart move. Eloquent as she is, Clinton has taken the help of "Internet freedom" to place her country and herself on a high moral ground. That reminds one of her smart power policy after taking office.
But a person can stand on a high moral ground only if he/she is supported by facts. So what are the facts? Clinton urged the Chinese government to investigate the attacks on Google but did not even mention those on Baidu, which apparently were carried out from a base in the US.
And what is America's understanding of Internet freedom within its own borders? The USA Patriot Act grants police the right to check phone and e-mail records of citizens. In many US states, people are often denied access to Al Jazeera news channel and website, because they have hurt Americans' feelings. Isn't Internet censorship the only way to describe them?
The US is using double standards to defend its own Internet security and criticize other countries for not being free enough. This makes Clinton's claim of Internet freedom only an illusion.
In the age of information, the Internet is closely related to politics. The US enlists cyber warfare as an essential quality of its troops. Many a time, the US government has used Internet networks as a tool for diplomacy. The closing down of MSN service in several nations is a perfect example.
In short, the US is not advocating Internet freedom, but just US interests.
(China Daily 01/28/2010 page9)
