Here is a write-up of the events of this morning's seminar sessions...

Web 2.0 in China

There is more to Chinese Web use than traditional surveillance or game playing.

Examples of Web use in China have been violent, evident in the responses to Western and Tibetan criticism of the government’s handling of the recent protests in Tibet.

Chinese people believe that expression online should be more controlled or validated by an overarching authority. If someone doesn’t think they are an expert in a subject, they will simply not post. This is seen all over the world and is not particular to China.

The net is a place for everyone to exchange. The web is a good thing but there are people who don’t think that one should change their minds via active discussion. They believe that people’s opinions are static and should not be challenged.

Self-censorship and the Rise of Cyber-collectives

Censorship systems in China: technologies, laws, hierarchical administration. Government doesn’t need internet police as censorship is self-serving. People censor themselves in anticipation of government intervention. However, the government targets ISPs and other organisations. In this way, self-censorship is a social safety-valve.