Blog Filtering
One of the best indications of the political nature of blogging can be found in the extent to
which blogs are subject to unlawful Internet filtering. Among two of the states that monitor
and control Internet communications that the ONI has investigated, namely China and Iran,
blogging has become one of their major focuses of attention, although a number of other
countries filter blogs and blogging services as well.
Blogging has become especially popular in China. Although it is difficult to determine with
precision the number of blogs hosted in the country, one source indicates that Chinese
servers host more than twenty million bloggers.
32 These bloggers post content on topics
ranging from daily diaries to political commentary, both critical and supportive of the Chinese
state. However, dissidents and human rights activists have been particularly drawn to the medium of blogging. Given the nature of China’s Internet filtering and surveillance regime, and
the way in which blogging’s instantaneous publication threatens the restrictions placed on
freedom of speech in that country, it is no surprise that Chinese authorities have intensified
Figure 6.2
Stated causes of blogger arrests.
Global Civil Society and the Securitization of the Internet
139
One of the best indications of the political nature of blogging can be found in the extent to
which blogs are subject to unlawful Internet filtering. Among two of the states that monitor
and control Internet communications that the ONI has investigated, namely China and Iran,
blogging has become one of their major focuses of attention, although a number of other
countries filter blogs and blogging services as well.
Blogging has become especially popular in China. Although it is difficult to determine with
precision the number of blogs hosted in the country, one source indicates that Chinese
servers host more than twenty million bloggers.
32 These bloggers post content on topics
ranging from daily diaries to political commentary, both critical and supportive of the Chinese
state. However, dissidents and human rights activists have been particularly drawn to the medium of blogging. Given the nature of China’s Internet filtering and surveillance regime, and
the way in which blogging’s instantaneous publication threatens the restrictions placed on
freedom of speech in that country, it is no surprise that Chinese authorities have intensified
Figure 6.2
Stated causes of blogger arrests.
Global Civil Society and the Securitization of the Internet
139