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Be careful what you write on the internet.

2/24/2015

13 Comments

 
An 82-year-old Chinese writer was removed from his home early one morning in mid-September. His supporters say they have not been able to pinpoint the precise reasons for his arrest. However, they have reason to believe it was the result of an online article in which he attacked one of the Communist Party’s seven most powerful leaders.

Earlier this month in China, an intensified crackdown went into force against anyone spreading harmful information on the internet.

You might notice I've removed all names from this article. I'm elderly and I like to comment on news articles that affect us all. Perhaps I'm safe in England for the moment, but political changes make a huge impact on laws. As writers, we're aware it's best to stay clear of politics and religion as a safeguard against antagonizing other people. We don't expect to be arrested.


Pictureen.wikipedia.org
The Beijing-based writer is expected to stand trial in southwest China for running an illegal business on Wednesday afternoon. Defended by a well-known human rights lawyer, he is due to appear at the Qingyang District Court in the city of Chengdu, more than 1,100 miles from the Chinese capital. The defendant claims the authorities hope the distance from from Beijing will minimize negative media coverage.

That campaign has seen many potential voices of opposition detained or jailed including human rights lawyers, academics, artists, anti-corruption activists and religious leaders. See The Telegraph article. 

Unless writers can publish their views, nobody will ever know what's going on—what's affecting people in different parts of the world. If our knowledge is limited, we'll become insular. We might not know the aging writer, or even care what happens to him, but in principle, we must stand against anyone limiting our voice.


13 Comments
Mary Burris link
2/23/2015 05:47:58 pm

They say once it's on the internet, there's no getting it back. While your thoughts and views may change over time, your post will forever be there in it's original form.

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Alana link
2/23/2015 07:31:01 pm

I hesitated to mention my religious affiliation on my blog until very recently for a similar reason - but then decided, in this day and age, it may be more important than ever to stand up for freedom of speech. What, to me, is scary, is programs now being used to fight terrorism and trafficking I won't mention here within the "dark web" - programs that can make associations between photos and posts and other data to take down criminal rings but - who knows what they might be used for in the future?

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Scott link
2/23/2015 10:57:25 pm

Hopefully someday China will start to respect basic human rights. Just because you dissent doesn't mean you're a threat.

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Debbie D. link
2/23/2015 11:31:37 pm

It's appalling that people can still be jailed for expressing their opinions in some parts of the world! Let's hope this is eradicated and not accelerated. Freedom of speech should be an inalienable right.

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Ashley link
2/24/2015 12:34:21 am

Your closing statement really hit home, if we are not allowed to report the news, or the truth or discuss events because we are in fear, what kind of uninformed life is that! Keep up the great work.

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janelle link
2/24/2015 12:51:30 am

Oh my!! Yes, very true we do have to be careful. So sad what happened to this guy though and it does cause a crazy impact of many all because of what's being posted online. Now these days everything is web based and internet driven. Now these days even people cannot even walkin anywhere and apply for a job. People who walkin are now told to "go online and apply". Sad, but true!!

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Joan Harrington link
2/24/2015 01:22:39 am

Never EVER let your voice be quieted if you have something EPIC or interesting to say :) Great post Francene!

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Laurel Regan link
2/24/2015 06:03:09 am

We live in frightening days, I think. Scary to think about what could happen.

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SnarkyMommaWithLove link
2/24/2015 09:36:51 am

I imagine that the very idea of freedom of speech and press is still a new one to the people of China. I have only hesitated once in sharing and I don't regret it at all.

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Amy B link
2/24/2015 01:50:22 pm

You are so right. I have seen and heard firsthand of some of these reports and the lack of freedom. It is scary. And you do have to be careful what is printed, not only on the Internet but in books. I wrote one (rather informal) book when I lived in the Middle East. It was about people I knew from a certain common organization. There was one person who declined to share her story with me because she feared reprisals. Wise woman.
Thanks for the reminder of our freedom...and lack of it at the same time.
Amy

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Amy B link
2/24/2015 01:50:44 pm

You are so right. I have seen and heard firsthand of some of these reports and the lack of freedom. It is scary. And you do have to be careful what is printed, not only on the Internet but in books. I wrote one (rather informal) book when I lived in the Middle East. It was about people I knew from a certain common organization. There was one person who declined to share her story with me because she feared reprisals. Wise woman.
Thanks for the reminder of our freedom...and lack of it at the same time.
Amy

Reply
Suzy link
2/24/2015 04:39:18 pm

We do need to be careful what we write. I like value my freedom to voice my views but I do believe that all writing should be responsible writing. Good post.

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Guilie Castillo link
2/24/2015 09:25:17 pm

Too true, Francene. Creativity is nothing without free speech. Standing up for it is not just about defending our rights; it's about our livelihood, and preservation of our soul.

Reply



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    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

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