Emily Diao | Week 11: Internet Censorship
Emily Diao
Mrs. Smith
English 11 AP
12 February 2025
Image credit: https://www.top10vpn.com/guides/internet-censorship/
Link to article: https://www.thefire.org/news/blogs/free-speech-dispatch/chinas-censorship-goes-global-secret-police-stations-video-games
Imagine waking up one day to find that the websites you rely on for news, communication, and entertainment are no longer accessible. Social media platforms censor discussions regarding political events, video games censor certain words, and criticism towards the government results in legal consequences. A hypothetical scenario like this is actually a daily reality for millions worldwide.
The internet has recently become a battleground for power and control, governments and corporations shape digital spaces, deciding what can be seen, shared, and discussed. China is one of the most well-known enforcers of digital censorship, blocking access to Google, Youtube, and Twitter through the Great Firewall. Something concerning right now however is the extension of its censorship beyond its own borders. Recent reports revealed the presence of secret Chinese police stations in countries like the United States, where dissidents are surveilled and interrogated. One New York resident pleaded guilty to operating one such station in Manhattan.
China isn’t the only country to demonstrate extreme censorship, other countries like Russia, Iran, and North Korea impose heavy restrictions on online speech, controlling access to foreign media, and punishing dissent.
Thankfully, as this censorship expands so does resistance, with organizations like Reporters Without Borders and the Electronic Frontier Foundation advocating for online freedom, while encrypted messaging apps, and VPNs provide alternative ways to communicate.
The internet was meant to establish more worldwide connections, but as digital policing increases it, the internet could become less of a tool for connection and more of a tool for control.
Hi Emily! I would be pretty scared if all of the website that I rely on just disappear. Censoring certain words from either video games or social media, in my opinion is the right thing to do. Sure kids should not have social media, or they should not play games that are not meant for there age, in todays digital society many kids have social media. I also agree with you when you said that China censors a lot of things that many individuals use. Google and youtube are the top to most popular websites that are being used around the world. In fact at one point, the most googled search that was searched up on Google was Youtube.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily. This post was definitely an eye-opener for me in regards to the digital policing issue. Although I do have some familiarity with internet censorship, (for instance messing around with Chinese Deepseek prompts) I've never really thought about the broader impact and extent to which other countries like Iran and Russia have censored media. It's interesting to see the digital freedom that Americans take for granted is a luxury that people in other parts of the world don't have access to. Your post highlights the dilemma in shedding light on the free internet issue, which is extremely underreported in mainstream media because of censorship. It begs the question; what if our government, claiming to be a land of free expression, is also censoring the internet, and we just don't know it?
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! Your take on internet censorship really made me think about how much we take internet freedom for granted. It’s kinda scary to think of a world where speaking online could get someone in trouble, but it’s even scarier knowing that it’s been happening to people all over the world. I hope more people become aware on this issue. Thank you for this insightful piece!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! I looked at the title of your blog, and knew I had to read it. Internet can sometimes be a dangerous place, but if used correctly, can help us in so many ways! News sources like NBC or Fox can keep our lives updated on the daily. Surprisingly, TikTok actually became a big source for me to look at news, and when it got banned, I wasn't too scared, but I for sure was missing out on some good news for 24 hours :). I also liked how you brought in how some countries have you on a "chokehold" when it comes to speech, as a country like India is experiencing that right now. A supposed to be funny show, is now getting banned because of what is being said, and how it's "ruining the ethics of India." Though the show is officially banned by the government, priests and other religious groups have. Overall, I loved reading your blog!
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