if you live in Vietnam. Maybe this story will make you think twice about what you post on the Internet.
The obvious issue is freedom of speech here - some of you agreed to censorship in the past (i.e. in Sudan), what are you thoughts/opinions here?
http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/vietnam-jails-3-bloggers-over-propaganda-posts
This is my weekly post:
ReplyDeleteGiven the Internet's role in helping democratic activists all over the world break through government repression, we must be vigilant in protecting free speech online.
Like I mentioned in the Youtube Banned archive, whether you're a communist or free country does not give the government, in my opinion, the right to remove media they feel is not suitable for the internet. We have the right as citizens to decide for ourselves what we feel is or in't appropriate for the internet. Censoring the news is never in anyone's best interest. Publishers, film makers and other members of the media should have some right of free speech to say what they believe.
These bloggers were apart of a "Free Journalist's Club", these clubs encourage and give people the right to speak what they see to be true. Yes, you must be very diligent about what you say, and how you say it on the internet. Though on the other hand, this doesn't mean just because someone doesn't agree with your view that you should be punished for it. There will always be someone who doesn't see eye to eye with your opinions.
The Internet offers extraordinary opportunities for anyone who wants to express an opinion about anything, and can make their thoughts available to a world-wide audience far more easily than has ever been possible before. A large and growing group of Internet participants have seized that opportunity. Information wants to be free, and the Internet fosters freedom of speech on a global scale.
I found this to be a good example: the Internet is a common area, a public space like any village square, except that it is the largest common area that has ever existed. Anything that anybody wishes to say can be heard by anyone else with access to the Internet, and this world-wide community is as large and diverse as humanity itself. Therefore, from a practical point of view, no one community's standards can govern the type of speech permissible on the Internet.
Freedom of Speech on the internet, in my opinion, should not be criticized. We all have a right.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/04/opinion/04mon3.html?_r=0
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2007/aug/06/whyfreespeechonthewebis
I completely agree with Erika. Freedom of speech is an essential part of a free and democratic society with a basic respect for and understanding of human rights and how it pertains to it's people. This unfair trial shows how much the Vietnamese government cares for it's human rights. Vietnam should rethink it's policies pertaining to human rights or risk facing admonishment from the west and stoppage of aid to their country.
ReplyDeleteThis is my weekly post:
ReplyDeleteI think that freedom of speech is important, and should be allowed. As individuals I think we should be able to express our opinions and thoughts, with out getting in severe trouble. I think the internet is a way to express feelings, and opinions with people around the world. I think this is an unfair trail, but different countries do have different rights. If this occurred in Canada, I feel that there would be a much greater problem.
"Independent writers, bloggers, and rights activists who question government policies, expose official corruption, or call for democratic alternatives to one-party rule are routinely subject to police harassment and intrusive surveillance, detained incommunicado for long periods of time without access to legal counsel, and sentenced to increasingly long terms in prison for violating vague national security laws."
This quote was taken from an article of which I found online. Yes we can say that the bloggers should not be put in jail, but we do have to think about Vietnam's rights. Canada and Vietnam have different rights, and although we may see this situation as a problem; there is not much we can do. Vietnam has their rights, which we cannot fix, or change. Yes it is wrong to place them in jail for expressing an opinion, but in Vietnam there are different laws. I think that it is unfair, but before blogging, they should understand their countries laws.
Unfortunately, the 3 bloggers have to face a sentence of which in my personal opinion, they do not deserve. These sentences may move Vietnam in a different direction. Since this event is being talking about world wide, propaganda for freedom of speech may happen. Although this is an unfortunate event, it might get the world’s attention enough to eventually lead to more freedom in Vietnam.
http://www.hrw.org/world-report-2012/world-report-2012-vietnam
http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/25/harsh-prison-sentences-for-3-vietnamese-bloggers/
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ReplyDeleteThis is my weekly post:
ReplyDeleteThere is so much to say about what this issue, I am not sure even where to start. These three bloggers got between four-twelve years in prison for blogging about human right abuses, corruption and foreign policy. According to the government, they were spreading propaganda against the state, and they undermined the government and criticized the communist party. He believes this has destroyed the people's trust in the state.(4)(1). In my opinion, the people in this country should not trust their government one bit, because obviously there is corruption if they feel they can justify jailing someone for twelve years just for posting on a blog. Also, I believe the government of Vietnam is using these three poor bloggers as an example to regain control over what people post on the internet. They are doing it to shut up others that speak the truth.
I was happy to read in multiple stories that different groups have stepped up and said no, this is not okay. For example, United States president Obama made a statement saying that he is deeply concerned about what is happening, and that while they want closer ties with Vietnam, they will be pressing for better human rights. He was quick to criticize the sentences.(2). Also, Catherine Ashton, the foreign policy chief for the European Union, said the sentences were much too harsh and called for immediate release of the bloggers.(3). Lastly, Australia's government made a statement saying that they will be putting strong emphasis on human rights in return for them continuing the development aid.(4). Hopefully with so many people of high power standing up and saying this is wrong, Vietnam will get the message and release the bloggers.
In my opinion though, something defiantly needs to change in Vietnam. A mother of one of the bloggers lost her life in protest, because she thought the only way to make a statement was to put herself on fire.(3). That to me is sickening. No one should have to go to such lengths just to be heard. No one should have to get time in prison just because they decided to speak their mind. Everyone deserves the right of freedom of speech, but hopefully this issue will bring change to the citizens of Vietnam.
1- http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/vietnam-jails-3-bloggers-over-propaganda-posts
2- http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/25/harsh-prison-sentences-for-3-vietnamese-bloggers/
3- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/vietnam/9562479/Vietnamese-anti-corruption-bloggers-jailed.html
4-
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-24/vietnam-bloggers-jailed-over-27anti-state-propaganda27/4278222 3
I think people should watch what the say to an extent but this is way to much of a punishment. Going to jail for over 10 years for posting something on the internet thats insane. People in canada could rob a bank and get 7 years and be out before someone that was just speaking their mind. Writing post on the internet. The is completely excessive and personally , I think needs to be stopped.
ReplyDelete