Does Chinese Internet Censorship Really Work Out?

"According to the latest statistics from China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), an administrative body under the Ministry of Information Industry, China currently has 618 million Internet users and 281 million use popular microblogging sites known collectively as Weibo" (Ng, 2014). "In a 2013 study of social media site Sina Weibo, researchers at Northeastern University found empirical evidence that censorship sometimes not only fails to quash discussion of sensitive topics on Chinese social media sites, but may even encourage it. Though numerous factors may be at play, the finding reinforces the popular notion that attempts to conceal information can backfire and even become a central part of a story—a phenomenon known as the Streisand Effect" (Ng, 2014). According to Ng (2014), "one should not underestimate the ability of Chinese Internet users to dig up information authorities are trying to hide—especially when it directly affects them or when it relates to righting injustices. But one must also acknowledge that China’s censors often still have the will and the tools to manage online information effectively to suit the government’s need".  

So it is clear that even though CNNIC wants to censor voices on social media, it seems not to work out sometimes. According to my own experiences, online discussions about information which is hided by authorities are always quickly missing in one day. I know clearly that CNNIC sometimes work very efficiently to censor contents online to avoid the harm to the public. The well-known great wall prevents us from using Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and google services to make sure that CNNIC is able to control our voices and speaking. However, we have already managed to have access to Facebook, Twitter, or Youtube in some ways. Even though some authorities are hiding information, several days later, or months later, the information came out eventually. As an old saying goes, “The best way to hide a misdeed is not to commit it".

In a nutshell, Chinese Internet censorship seems to work out sometimes, but it does not eventually due to the Chinese people' pursuit of the truth.


References

Ng, J.Q. (2014, March 17). How Chinese Internet Censorship Works, Sometimes. ChinaFile. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/17/china-internet-censorship_n_4981389.html