Twitter and internet freedom: distinguish democracies from dictatorships
Reports that Twitter is planning to ‘censor’ the content of certain tweets has caused alarm amongst pro-democracy bloggers and other cyberactivists. “If Twitter censors, I’ll stop tweeting,” China’s dissident artist Ai Weiwei tweeted in response to the news. But there is a world of difference between a democracy banning speech on “security” grounds and a dictatorship banning “security”-infringing speech by autocratic fiat, writes Richard Fontaine, a Senior Advisor at the Center for a New American Security.
Recent Posts
Victor Ashe says treatment of contract employees by BBG executives amounts to abuse of the system
Will fundraising for Obama get Dick Lobo chairmanship of Broadcasting Board of Governors?
CUSIB Statement on the Resignation of BBG Chairman Walter Isaacson
Breaking news: Walter Isaacson stepping down as Broadcasting Board of Governors Chairman
Russia and the West: why democracy threatens Putin
Broadcasting Board of Governors member lashes out against domestic critics, calling them ‘cowards’
Voice of America hushed up mistakes by former CNN employees
Featured Posts
United States – Reporters Without Borders to close its English-language site for 24 hours in protest against SOPA and…
U.S. official Victor Ashe calls for keeping a radio facility capable of reaching China
Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs says Chinese people need Voice of America broadcasts – BBG Watch
Swedish journalists on trial in Ethiopia — Voice of America journalists already penalized — BBG Watch
The “New” BBG Strategic Plan — The Federalist — BBG Watch
Senate Committee on Appropriations tells BBG: VOA radio and TV to China must continue
China – Activists attacked while trying to visit human rights lawyer under house arrest — RSF
USG Broadcasts.com - BBG Watch and Hot Tub Blog
Russia
Will fundraising for Obama get Dick Lobo chairmanship of Broadcasting Board of Governors?
BBG Watch Commentary There have been rumors that Richard
Broadcasting Board of Governors member lashes out against domestic critics, calling them ‘cowards’
BBG Watch Commentary We have just heard that the
Russia – Office of opposition newspaper destroyed in firebomb attack
Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) - Reporters Without
China
Will fundraising for Obama get Dick Lobo chairmanship of Broadcasting Board of Governors?
BBG Watch Commentary There have been rumors that Richard
CUSIB Statement on the Resignation of BBG Chairman Walter Isaacson
The independent Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting (CUSIB), which
Broadcasting Board of Governors member lashes out against domestic critics, calling them ‘cowards’
BBG Watch Commentary We have just heard that the
Old perestroika journalists need not apply – RFE/RL President Steven Korn defends his record
Old perestroika journalists need not apply – Radio Free
yuri_nahl: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=37N2l4l8gX5B...
Martina Schiavon: The news that Chen Guangcheng has been imprisoned for 4 years for his ...
Ben: As the long time listener and reader of BBG radio,I can evaluate the ...
Juanita Tagami: Interesting post. I enjoyed it very much! Thanks. Juanita Tagami...
Ben: Radio "Svoboda" is drawn in strange actions: of defense of British Pe...