Google has threatened to pull out of China, ending a 2006 compromise in which the popular search engine company agreed to allow China to filter taboo topics on searches done inside the country.
In speech on Internet freedom and foreign policy, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sounded off on the issue last week, criticizing countries that censor the Web.
"Countries that restrict free access to information or violate the basic rights of Internet users risk walling themselves off from the progress of the next century," Secretary Clinton said.
The Chinese government fired back saying that the issue will strain relations between the two countries.
Quotes
"Countries that restrict free access to information or violate the basic rights of Internet users risk walling themselves off from the progress of the next century." - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
"Those who disrupt the free flow of information in our society or any other pose a threat to our economy, our government, and our civil society. Countries or individuals that engage in cyber-attacks should face consequences and international condemnation." - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
"We urge the U.S. side to respect facts and stop using the so-called freedom of the Internet to make unjustified accusations against China." - Chinese Foreign Ministry
Warm Up Questions
1. What is censorship? How do governments use censorship to maintain control?
2. Where is China? What kind of government does China have?
3. What is Google? What do you use it for?
Discussion Questions
1. Did the information in this video surprise you? Why or why not? Did you know that the Chinese people had limited access to information on the Internet?
2. Why do you think that the Chinese government would try to censor information on the Web? What purpose would this serve?
3. In the original 2006 compromise, do you think Google was right to work with the Chinese government to restrict access to Google searches within its country? Why or why not?
4. Do you agree that free access to the Internet is a human right? Why or why not?
Additional Resources
