Singapore’s Censorship And Repression Is No Model For The Rest Of Asia

Apr 282011
 

Singapore is seen by many Asian leaders as their ideal society – economically prosperous, first world health care, orderly and in the firm control of an upper class elite which can bend the rules when it suits them.

The material benefits that ordinary Singaporeans enjoy from such a system come at a price: an authoritarian government, widespread censorship, intolerance of dissent or criticism – it is the proverbial gilded cage.

From China’s former leader, Deng Xiaoping to Vietnam’s current rulers Singapore’s wealth and social control are a model to aspire to but is it one that has a long term future?

Malaysian lawyer and democracy activist, R Kengadharan, who has enjoyed a lengthy stay in his country’s jail under in the Internal Security Act for his pursuit of human rights argues in Free Malaysia Today that an open society with a free flow of information and a vigorous oposition  is necessary for Singapore like any country to survive.

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Australian House Vendor: Overseas Asians and Muslims Need Not Apply

Apr 282010
 

A  controversial Australian former politician noted for her vehement right wing and anti-immigration views is refusing to sell her multi-million dollar house to a Muslim or Asians who live overseas.

Pauline Hanson whose  One Nation political party rode a wave of vociferous but minority support that has been compared to the current Tea Party movement in America is selling up her country property to move into the northern city of Brisbane according to The Australian newspaper.

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Britain’s New Internet Law Puts It With China and Vietnam

Apr 122010
 

Britain seems set to join China, Vietnam, and other tightly controlled countries in facing criticism over legislation that would curb electronic access.

The digital economy bill—passed by the House of Commons—was designed to overhaul the broadcasting industry, ensure high-speed broadband access for all, and deal with internet piracy—but it’s the piracy provision that’s raising concern.

Steve Watson, writing on the Market Oracle Web site, says the law is too broad. It gives the “government powers to restrict and filter any Web site that is deemed to be undesirable for public consumption,” he says.

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Google’s Retreat Highlights Internet Freedom

Mar 302010
 

This article is by RFA president Ms. Libby Liu. It first appeared in the Huffington Post.

What an amazing week. It started with Google on Monday deciding to reroute its Chinese users to its unfiltered Hong Kong-based search engine. But it didn’t end there. What Chinese authorities hoped would be a blip that would neatly be resolved instead has ballooned into a much bigger drama. Google’s decision – the shot heard ’round the world – threw a spotlight on other online Western companies operating in The People’s Republic of China under authorities’ tight controls. By Wednesday, GoDaddy stopped registering domain names with Chinese servers and it remains to be seen if other companies follow Google’s lead.

Beijing has been quick to react, first accusing Google of acting politically and now blocking search results from its Hong Kong-based search engines. Chinese partners already are backing out of previous deals with Google. The retreat also has offered a peek inside the regime’s information control apparatus during times of crisis. Chinese domestic news Web site editors were handed a set of instructions on reporting on the incident, explaining that all content about Google must originate from the central government’s main media Web site without any changes, including to the wording of the articles’ titles. According to the rules, discussion sessions on any media blogs are forbidden, as is content from any outside or foreign news source.

The events also throw a spotlight on China’s draconian restrictions of the Internet and its use of the far-reaching medium to enforce its perpetual prohibition of free speech and the unfettered exchange of ideas.

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