Freedom of Speech on the Internet

Internet has long been treated as an open platform facilitating information flow and interconnection between people irrespective of restrictions by time and space. Optimists even thought that the Internet could get through the barricade of authoritarian regimes, opening the door of freedom of speech. However, gaps always exist between reality and expectation. Internet police in China scrutinize the net world meticulously and block netizens from access to any politically sensitive information.

The conflicts between netizens and Internet police is vividly demonstrated in the recent “ River crabs and grass mud horse” saga. Owing to its high efficiency of facilitating information flow, Internet is a perfect tool for summoning activists to take part in demonstration. This is what authoritarian regimes fear most and it is not difficult to understand why they always have a firm grip on the freedom of information flow and speech on the Internet. Despite the failure of bringing imminent democratic reforms, Internet has quietly changed the tone of political atmosphere in China, allowing more room for the freedom of speech. This may help vent the grievance in society. Although premier Wen’s direct talk with netizens last year was only a political show because politically sensitive issues were filtered, at least the senior officials were paying more attention to the voices of netizens. Projecting from the current trend, Internet will play a vital role in the political reforms in China.

The ruling party in authoritarian regimes keens on restricting the freedom of speech on the Internet. Is this freedom unrestricted in democratic countries? Instead of having the Internet police to monitor the net world, netizens themselves are to blame for narrowing the room for freedom of speech. The social impact of a news programme broadcast a few months ago talking about the gender conflict in Hong Kong is a good example to illustrate this point. A lady voiced her opinions that were not widely accepted by some male netizens. The consequences were disastrous and beyond her imagination. Her personal particulars were disclosed and she was verbally harassed on the Internet by some male netizens. This kind of cyber bullying is common worldwide and has done severe mental damages on victims.

Internet is a communication platform beyond the grip of most governments. Because of this, a self-disciplined network society with a higher tolerance of different voices is critical. Otherwise, Internet will only become a tool of suppressing minority voices and this will be detrimental to the development of a harmonious and democratic global village.