by By Bryna Geary
Today’s class with guest speaker, Anna Klyueva, made me appreciate the amount of social media freedom we have in the United States. We can pick up our phones or log on to our computers and post about pretty much anything. Sure, there are certain restrictions on each social media platform, but they are minimal in comparison to many other countries around the world. For example, my social media timelines are filled with memes. As we learned today from our guest speaker, Anna, memes are banned in Russia and there are legal consequences for sharing and posting them.
Anna talked about the state of the Internet in Russia and how there is very limited freedom of expression due to multiple restrictions and laws. Although freedom of expression is limited in Russia, it’s not the only country that heavily controls what is accessible and viewable on the Internet. Other countries, like China, completely block some forms of social media. Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube are among some of the social media websites blocked in China.
If you are interested in which specific sites China blocks, there is a way to find out! There is a website that tests any site and reports back if it would “fail” (be allowed) in China or not. The website is called the Great Firewall of China and you can try it out here.
There is a large portion of the world that has at least some form of Internet censorship. Other countries restrict access to different functions and websites. Also, in some countries, access to the Internet is almost completely and purposefully restricted. These restrictions limit the ability to obtain information that all people should have the right to access.
To see a map of internet censorship around the world, click here.
Twitter: @brynageary
Email: [email protected]
Bryna-
It is so crazy how many things are restricted in other countries. I can’t even imagine what would happen if the US government tried to restrict social medias such as Facebook and Twitter. People would go ballistic! And isn’t it crazy that you can go to jail if you are just merely tagged in a post? It is insane how much restriction the government can have on people’s lives, even to the small things like posting memes. Thanks for this post.
Alexis- I agree that people would freak out if the U.S. government started banning social media. I feel like people would find a way around it and continue to use it!
Bryna, I thought exactly the same thing when hearing Anna Klyueva share her knowledge about the internet and how it is censored Russia was definitely eye opening. It is hard to not appreciate our freedom after understanding how restricted freedom is for those outside the United States. I think that in the United States, many internet users have found a voice through either blogging, forums, or social media that enables them release frustrations that would otherwise be kept inside. I worry that Russia’s increasing censorship of the internet may cause individuals to feel as if they don’t have a voice, and thus choose to voice their arguments and feelings in a more violent way.
I am a strong proponent of allowing citizens to engage with one another about concerns and problems over the internet, and am appreciative of our government in allowing United States citizens to do so.
Jennifer- I agree with you about how the increase of censorship is taking away freedom of expression. I think that people are probably already feeling this way because they have to be so careful when posting online and can’t fully express themselves.
I think the approach that Russia takes is interesting compared to others like China around the world. Instead of telling people what’s prohibited and restricting access to so much of the internet they let them have access to it all and then use it as a tool to catch people who don’t agree with them. Theses countries are similar in that they use the internet as a tool for propaganda. It is crazy to think how different experience for the citizens of these countries is to ours here in America. Its an interesting thought to think whether they will begin to have more freedom as we do or if the acts of the government and the NSA here will make our experience more like theirs by pushing the limits of the first amendment with their surveillance techniques.
Bryna,
This is a great post to help bring awareness to the amount of Internet restriction around the world. I did not realize that Facebook was blocked in China! I think that Kalie brings up a great point as well about the NSA and the surveillance they do on American citizens. Sure we are allowed to post and share and participate in more social media activities than countries like Russia, but all of that is being monitored. In the Edward Snowden interview with John Oliver he specified again how companies like Google and now Snap chat are completely complying with the NSA in handing over ALL of our posts and information. This to me is just as scary as Russia’s Internet state. The NSA is compiling all of our information into what is known as Metadata, which basically gives them content and an inside look into our lives. With simple Facebook information, GPS location on our phones, and the information tracked in our debit cards the government can retrace your steps throughout the day and create a perspective on where and what you were doing. Russia seems to have this idea in mind too as Anna was saying that each account online must be registered with full passport information. It is all becoming way too much and I feel like even with our ability to post more, our privacy is completely non existent.
Something I have a hard time wrapping my mind around is the different experience people from these countries have on the internet compared to mine. Whenever I don’t believe a news article in the paper or from TV I easily find out more about it online. There is a booming industry of online news sites. To think that people in other countries do not have access to this kind of information shines a light on the difference of freedom among the globe still present in our world. Knowledge is power, and these countries are preventing their people from power by holding back knowledge. The different tactics they use are interesting. Russia saying basically, “Go ahead and do it, see what happens!” while China is like, “You just can’t do any of this at all and we are going to keep it that way.”
Bryna –
After hearing Anna talk I definitely was blown away about how strict other countries can be with internet. Growing up in America I had never experienced any type of censorship before and was completely confused at how they can control something so universal. The internet is one of the greatest tools in expressing yourself, spreading messages and is rapidly becoming more important for brands and personal development. I loved how your blog post included a map of internet censorship around the world. I would have never known that a few countries experience such control over the internet.