|
Online Guide To Circumventing Censors Censored
Monday, September 26, 2005-1:17 PM
An article at cnn.com points readers to a guide posted by Reporters Without Borders advising them on how to get around the censors in places like China.
I was anxious to take a look at this guide. In the last few days the censors who watch the English news broadcast from Hong Kong have not only been cutting up the evening reports; they've been finely mincing them.
I'm sure this is because of the recent visit by Hong Kong legislatures to Guangdong. But even given that it's hard to understand why some stories are blocked.
A couple days ago I heard one of the anchors introduce a story about Hurricane Rita. Before he could finish his sentence there was an immediate cut to commercials (the same Mandarin commercials they use to replace other stories of a sensitive nature).
I couldn't figure out why they'd be worried about people in China learning about hurricanes in America.
The censors make watching the news a nervous experience. I never know when the stories are going to be cut short. And when I do hear a sensitive topic come up, I just start counting off the seconds. Almost always it takes less than ten seconds to cut to commercial.
At least the broadcasts from Hong Kong cover these stories. The mainland broadcasts omit them entirely.
I clicked on the link provided by CNN to Reporters Without Borders. The site was blocked.
I have my own suggestions that I use to beat the censors in China. First, start a blog. Second, write in English. Third, make sure no one reads it.
|
