Chavez defends plan for Internet regulations

[naaman fletcher]

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez defended plans for a law that would impose broadcast-type regulations on the Internet, saying Sunday that his government should protect citizens against online crimes.

Chavez's congressional allies are considering extending the "Social Responsibility Law" for broadcast media to the Internet, banning messages that "disrespect public authorities," "incite or promote hatred" or crimes, or are aimed at creating "anxiety" in the population.

Government opponents and press freedom groups have been critical of the plan, saying it is one of several measures being considered that could restrict freedoms in Venezuela.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/19/AR2010121902461.html

[Bacchus39]

1. incredible

I wonder too how they will regulate it. I suspect it will be a China or Cuba type thing or even more repressive.



"As examples, Chavez mentioned messages promoting drug use, prostitution and other crimes, and said his government has an obligation to take a stand. Questions remain about how the measures would be enforced."

[social_critic]

2. The Great Firewall of China

I don't think the Venezuelan government will implement a system as thorough as the one used by the Chinese or the Cubans. And even the great firewall of china can be breached. Anonymous volunteers carry CDs to China with software able to spoof the wall, so they can have access to news and information outside China. I don't know about Cuba - the problem there seems to be associated with the lack of internet connections, and computers. The US doesn't help because it has limited the installation of fiber optics cables to Cuba, which are needed for high density high speed internet links. But I guess we all agree US foreign policy reminds us of a guy sawing a tree branch 20 feet in the air, sitting outside the cut, and screaming patriotic slogans as the branch snaps.

[naaman fletcher]

3. this was also posted in latest breaking news

where the usual suspects were defending Chavez.

[Bacchus39]

4. saw it, what a democratic and progressive proposal banning political speech n/t

s