China Cracks Down, Again
And speaking of China (as we were a few posts back), a new initiative has been announced to control the Internet in that country. According to this report (China to close unregistered domestic Web sites) from NEWS.COM, "China soon will close unregistered domestic Web sites and blogs as the government tightens its grip on the Internet..." This report also notes studies by other media watchdogs who called China, "the world's leading censor of the Internet and said its government employed thousands of officials and private citizens to monitor and control online content." China is demonstrating that an oppressive government can crack down on Internet fueled dissent even in the 21st Century. This does not bode well for the house church movement in China. In many cases, the technology and software that allows China to monitor and control the Internet is being provided by Western companies. I think it is important for Christian investors and voters to let their voice be heard, Western companies should not be profiting from the persecution of political and religious minorities. The techniques of control and intimidation used in China will be exported to other countries, to the Middle East and Africa. The time to act is now, build alliances with underground churches so that lines of communication can remain open, and if your skills run toward the technical side, help them find ways around these new restrictions.