International Journal of Communications Law & Policy

INTERNET CONTENT CONTROL IN CHINA
By Charles Li

Download the Paper in PDF Format: IJCLP Web-Doc 2-8-2004

Abstract

Can the Internet be controlled? If so, should it? This Article examines the mechanisms and the effects of Internet content control in the People's Republic of China ("China"). In this analysis, the four modalities of control (the law, architecture, social norms and the market), theorized by Lessig will be used. Unlike the initial and popular idea that the Internet was an open and liberal medium with inherent features that made it impossible to control, this paper concludes that the Communist Party of China ("CPC") has achieved its goals and effectively controls the content on the Internet without sacrificing economic interests. Furthermore, this paper attempts to discuss why CPC easily controls the Internet. By analyzing China's distinct culture, history, tradition and society, this article points out that Internet control in China will remain unaltered for a relatively long time unless the inner consciousness for free speech in the mind of Chinese people prevails. From a long-term perspective, however, it is likely that Internet control in China will be gradually weakend.
In September 2002, the Chinese government's control over the Internet became the focus of attention because of its blocking of Google.com and some other similar useful and well-known search engine websites. The CPC has long made efforts to control the Internet and limit access to most international news websites such as CNN.com, BBC.com and VOA.com. However, this time the CPC went even further, blocking access to websites of general search engines like Google.com. Google.com collects information with web engines through pure technology, not human editors, and is regarded as a technical service and tool, devoid of political involvement. As a result, accompanying this news, the issues surrounding Internet censorship in China has again attracted much international attention, particularly from western nations.

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