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Obama Talks Internet Freedom, China Censors

Posted by kdawson on from the can't-hear-you dept.

eldavojohn writes "In a town-hall-style Q&A with (hand-picked) Chinese students in Shanghai, President Obama made several statements knocking China's firewall and censorship. Quoting: 'I am a big believer in technology and I'm a big believer in openness when it comes to the flow of information. I think that the more freely information flows, the stronger the society becomes, because then citizens of countries around the world can hold their own governments accountable. They can begin to think for themselves. That generates new ideas. It encourages creativity. And so I've always been a strong supporter of open Internet use. I'm a big supporter of non-censorship. This is part of the tradition of the United States that I discussed before, and I recognize that different countries have different traditions. I can tell you that in the United States, the fact that we have free Internet — or unrestricted Internet access — is a source of strength, and I think should be encouraged.' The Washington Post notes that the event was broadcast only on the local level, and in fact Chinese authorities removed from view what little coverage it had gotten, after about an hour. But at least American news media are gobbling it up."

2 of 312 comments (clear)

  1. He likes openness... and yet...... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Redundant

    he likes to hide the 3 strike rule using the 'we cant tell you about it due to national security' ruse.... bowing down to his corporate leash holders...

  2. Re:we'll see by ya+really · · Score: 0, Redundant

    It's a sad day when the Bill of Rights is modded "Troll".
    What ever happened to "I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."

    Maybe it's when you UPPERCASE lettering to SHOW how important YOU are

    Seriously though, you could have said the same thing and been 100% less douchey about it and it would have made me want to use my mod points instead of giving this reply and voiding any points I have for this topic.