Slashdot Mirror
China Prosecuting Webmaster Over Site
hughk writes "A trial is taking place in China where a webmaster who is running a site dedicated to help finding missing people is facing trial over content provided by a third-party. Unfortunately, someone had the audacity to mention Tiananmen Square. The story is written up on the BBC website amongst others. This comes down to the old problem of how do you run a service like this when not only do you monitor the articles, you have to monitor the replies as well? From a comparison point of view, you can not be prosecuted for doing something similar in Russia, but it does help to be up to date with your taxes." There are so many of these articles we can't run them all. But it helps to run some from time to time to remind people living in the freer areas of the world that not everyone lives as they do.
film at 11.
What did he expect? He was providing a forum for free speech in a country where people are regularly tortured for expressing their opinions. I admire his bravery, and his principles, but I can't say I'm surprised by the reaction.
Republicans decide to make the net safe for children by appointing an 'Internet Czar' (see To Renew America by Newt Gingrich) and decide that people can, in fact, be liable for "criminal" speech on the Internet. Congress accepts this comprimise to total Federal control of the Internet.
Democrats, in order to appeal to their large amount of ethnic minority voters, pushes Congress for Federal 'hate crime' legislation. Now, it is a crime to think, or feel, hate. Orwell called these "thought-crimes". Republicans in congress who do not want to get "Ashcrofted" when they are appointed to their future cabinet position, make sure to go on record as voting for this legislation.
These are not scenarios... these are agendas.
So now, when some nutcase posts on slashdot that he's going to kill a bunch of /blacks/whites/women/frogs/FBI Agents, Commander Taco and friends get to go to Federal Prison for running a "Hate Speech Forum" when the Ministry of Love comes down on them.
Maybe 5 years is too far into the future. These proposals are in the works now. Welcome to the fold.
Vote Libertarian
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I have not yet begun to procrastinate!
Where you can't be arrested for content on your web site, as long as Sony says it's ok.
It's cheap labor. It's no one is around to complain about human rights. The government is in your favor. The workers have no voice. The companies can do as they like with impunity. What better place to do business??? Let the money roll in, like we have to keep our lawns green don't we? And the rest is none of our business, right?