e-Clean RoK
These past few days, I've been interested in the Korean internet ban. They are blocking millions of websites in an attempt to prevent people viewing the video of Kim Sun-il's beheading at the hands of terrorists. The attempt is futile, because the video is still widely accessible via P2P, and damaging, because it affects the free flow of information to and from RoK. Read Dr Hodges, at the link above.
They don't have censorship in South Korea, of course, because it's banned in the constitution, which protects free speech. They just want an e-clean environment where people are encouraged to report illegal and unfair information transmissions to Internet119.
They don't have censorship in South Korea, of course, because it's banned in the constitution, which protects free speech. They just want an e-clean environment where people are encouraged to report illegal and unfair information transmissions to Internet119.
The e-Clean Korea Charter
We all live in a society of knowledge and information.
With the enormously rapid development in the information and communications technologies, the entire world dwells on active exchanges of knowledge and information sources to unify the whole world in the cyberspace.
Being committed to global citizenship, we pledge to practice the following points so that we can bring a cyber world which pursues mankind?[sic] love and the ideals of human dignity and value.
One, We respect and care for each other to build a sound human relationship in cyberspace.
Two, We pledge to fully abide by the rules in compliance with ethical norms in cyberspace.
Three, We keep righteous words and expressions as the forefront runner to improve the quality of life in cyberspace.
Four, We do our best to help youngsters unfold their dreams safely in cyberspace.
(via Korea World, as above)
So that's all right then.
Meanwhile, the most wired nation on earth, the nation that prides itself on accelerating informatization, is cut off from blogland. Millions of sites are inaccessible to Koreans. Bloggers who are resident in Korea can't even read their own blogs without using a proxy.
There are two petitions, Joel Browning's here and Edward Smith's here.
There is a message board, but people don't seem to be using it much.
The Korean Embassy in the UK. Write to them.
Some online articles
(Issued 12 June 2003)
We all live in a society of knowledge and information.
With the enormously rapid development in the information and communications technologies, the entire world dwells on active exchanges of knowledge and information sources to unify the whole world in the cyberspace.
Being committed to global citizenship, we pledge to practice the following points so that we can bring a cyber world which pursues mankind?[sic] love and the ideals of human dignity and value.
One, We respect and care for each other to build a sound human relationship in cyberspace.
Two, We pledge to fully abide by the rules in compliance with ethical norms in cyberspace.
Three, We keep righteous words and expressions as the forefront runner to improve the quality of life in cyberspace.
Four, We do our best to help youngsters unfold their dreams safely in cyberspace.
(via Korea World, as above)
So that's all right then.
Meanwhile, the most wired nation on earth, the nation that prides itself on accelerating informatization, is cut off from blogland. Millions of sites are inaccessible to Koreans. Bloggers who are resident in Korea can't even read their own blogs without using a proxy.
There are two petitions, Joel Browning's here and Edward Smith's here.
There is a message board, but people don't seem to be using it much.
The Korean Embassy in the UK. Write to them.
Some online articles
JoongAng Daily: Virtual pundits in a foreign land
Korea Times: Internet Providers Urged to Block Hostage Video
Korea Times: Korea Blocks 40 Web Sites to Bar Spread of Victim’s Video
OhmyNews: Bloggers Affected By Iraq Video Ban
Some English language blogs from Korea
This isn't a comprehensive list, or an endorsement of anyone's views. These blogs have all said something interesting, whether personal or political, analytical or purely expository. I make no claims except that they all merit a visit at least once.
About Joel: teaches English, takes photos, thinks. Started the People Against Censorship petition
Big Hominid:Joint moderator of the Fight MIC message board. Gets angry creatively, uses bad language creatively, draws. Not for the faint-hearted
As I don't speak Korean, I haven't any idea what's going on outside the expat community. Not that reading the blogs gives a comprehensive view of the English-speaking community anyway.
About Joel: teaches English, takes photos, thinks. Started the People Against Censorship petition
Big Hominid:Joint moderator of the Fight MIC message board. Gets angry creatively, uses bad language creatively, draws. Not for the faint-hearted
Blinger: teaches English. Hosts the Fight MIC message board
Fatman Seoul: Foodie with a camera. Classic.
Gumbi: Canadian who launched the Petition to Repeal Censorship
Hunjangûi karûch'im: Brilliant! Finnish anthropologist fluent in English and Korean. A voice of intelligence and sanity
Korea voted for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 (as did everyone else in the UN except USSR and its satellites, and South Africa and Saudi Arabia).
So that's all right too, then.
But before we get too complacent, take a look at what Reporters sans Frontieres say about internet freedom in the UK and the USA.
Marmot: Marmot is a translator for Chosun Ilbo, and a big hitter. His blog gets big hits. Don't mess with the marmot
NKzone: Blogzone, just moving from their old TypePad address on account of being blocked in South Korea and China. Essential reading for NK
Oranckay: oranckay means "foreigner". Thoughtful, well-informed
Overboard: feisty Buddhist and feminist. Politically aware, sensitive writing.
Ruminations in Korea (Jeff) Thoughtful, well-informed, and provocative.
Woojay (blog of the Pythi master) Essential. I wish I could read Korean, though!
Woojay (blog of the Pythi master) Essential. I wish I could read Korean, though!
Korea voted for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 (as did everyone else in the UN except USSR and its satellites, and South Africa and Saudi Arabia).
So that's all right too, then.
But before we get too complacent, take a look at what Reporters sans Frontieres say about internet freedom in the UK and the USA.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home