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Adopt a [Chinese] Blog

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the amazing-uses-for-the-internet dept.

malorkus writes "Here's a great way for bloggers and others with decent web hosting to help fight internet censorship in China and other restrictive countries. Adopt a Chinese Blog aims to match up censored bloggers with volunteer hosts."

12 of 279 comments (clear)

  1. Block by turtled · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Wouldn't their government then just block access to certain servers / sites / blogs?

    --
    "I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." -- Sigmund Freud
    1. Re:Block by tomhudson · · Score: 4, Insightful
      that, plus if they post in chinese and you can't understand it, you may very well be hosting a government "agent provocateur".

      ... or, if they post in english (or ingrish) then they aren't really communicating very effectively with their own countrymen, so it becomes just another political statement w/o much impact.

      IOW, a cute idea, but not very practical or logical. Perhaps we're being trolled?

    2. Re:Block by AKAImBatman · · Score: 5, Informative
      There are no rights violations. It is Chinese law that is, in our opinions, flawed, but what gives you or I the right to say so?

      I thought the same thing, but several very intelligent posters pointed out that there *are* rights being violated. Article 35 of the Chinese Constitution states:

      Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration.

      Now I realize that the Chinese Constitution may not be worth the paper its printed on (I know of many violations of the constitution, including friends who fled China due to religious persecution - read: arrest/jail - directly in contradiction to article 36), but that shouldn't stop the Chinese from fighting for rights they've been explicitly granted.

      A good writeup on the situation from a Chinese Law Professor is here, with a well reasoned rebuttal here.

      Let's hope the Chinese people are able to fight for their constitution. If only it was as easy as taking the case before the Chinese Supreme Court. :-/
      --
      Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
    3. Re:Block by Intron · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Nobody gives you rights. You have rights. There are only people trying to take them away.

      If all people exercise their right of free speech, free press and free association then those rights will persevere. If you back down, then you will cede your rights. Its easy to promote a popular cause. Its the unpopular ones that define your character.

      Anyway, I'd like to help, but my ISP won't let me host a blog on my server. And I have to wash my cat this weekend.

      --
      Intron: the portion of DNA which expresses nothing useful.
    4. Re:Block by Khuffie · · Score: 5, Insightful

      And the US constitution isn't being violated by the Patriot Act?

  2. In soviet Russia by farker+haiku · · Score: 4, Funny

    Hrm... so,
    In Soviet Russia, Bloggers host you!

    --
    Your sig(k) has been stolen. There is a puff of smoke!
  3. Adopt... by British · · Score: 5, Funny

    *Sally Struthers walks on*

    For just 5 megs a month you can adopt a Chinese blog. You will recieve letters, a digital camera picture and more from your sponsored blog. Your blog will recieve bandwidth, FTP access and encryption...

    Just 5 megs a month. Isn't that worth it?

  4. Punishment? by OverkillTASF · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Is there some law in China against circumventing the censorship laws? Like.... What is the potential punishment that you are probably incurring upon whatever China-person you "help out"?

  5. This sounds like a good idea, BUT... by Rude+Turnip · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'd be scared shitless to visit China if I let some dissident bloggers use some of my hosting space. The Chinese govt. is probably paranoid enough to start putting together a list of individuals who have helped these "dangerous" individuals.

    Another concern I'd have is that a blogger might have lots of harsh words about some local official, but how do I know it isn't simply slander? And what would my liabilities be in such a case?

    --
    Bill Clinton: Pimp we can believe in. - The Shirt!!!
  6. Not to rain on your parade but.. by matvei · · Score: 5, Interesting

    what's stopping the Chinese secret service (or whatever) to register with this service as hosts, collect all the information needed to snatch the blogger and make an example out of him and his family?

  7. Great idea... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Would any chinese adopt my european CVS?

    That would be great! If I could move my project to a free country. Reading trivial patents is so boring you know...

  8. Does anyone here appreciate the irony? by tigre · · Score: 5, Insightful

    China is a safe haven for all sorts of internet activity which is illegal and reprehensible here, I guess it's only fair that we return the favor.