The U.S. Internet Double Standard

Published in Huanqiu
(China) on 11 April 2011
by Yang Mingyong (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Meghan McGrath. Edited by Alexander Anderson  .
The United States has always had a double standard when it comes to the question of Internet freedom. It has asked other countries to provide unlimited Internet freedom, but as a diplomatic move, the use of the Internet in the U.S. is strictly controlled by internal means. This is an important tool for seeking supremacy.

The Internet is an open world with no rules and no standards. As for establishing Internet standards, there is a consensus among all countries that they be developed. But since countries differ in their domestic economic development and domestic conditions, social systems and Internet management models will not be the same.

Thus, the term "network freedom" is relative and conditional. The condition is that maintaining peoples’ liberty and each country’s own national interests, while being consistent with other countries’ Internet laws and regulations, will be difficult, as each country’s willpower is unwavering.

The U.S. State Department issued its 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, but then criticized other countries’ Internet management, creating an "Only we are allowed to light the fire, we do not allow others to light the lamps" double standard.

Let us take a look at the U.S. Internet: The law provides the federal government absolute power to shut down the Internet in emergency situations. On the grounds of anti-terrorism security, the U.S. government can tap phone calls and monitor Internet communications; a "Network Navy" was established to give bogus numbers and falsify information, in order to weaken adverse publicity and strengthen favorable impressions of government actions.

It is not difficult to see that the United States has made a supreme effort to advertise and enthusiastically support Internet freedom, while it strictly restricts Internet usage. To cite an article from Foreign Policy magazine online: "The U.S. government's attitude toward the Internet is still full of problems and contradictions."

Under the cover of human rights, the United States speaks of Internet freedom, but its real purpose is ignoring the sovereignty and laws of other countries. This is all done under the banner of human rights. Under the banner of Internet freedom, the United States encroaches on other countries' Internet sovereignty and conduct.

This kind of Internet freedom move is typical of high-handed, powerful rulers. The intent of the United States with regard to double standards on Internet management is clear. That is, its baton is at the center, and all must obey its command and instructions. It thinks that wherever it wishes to occupy, it may occupy; whatever it wishes to attack, it can attack. The United States relies on the Internet to seek its own interests.

The United States blatantly tightens control over domestic Internet usage, while asking other countries to provide unlimited Internet freedom. The essence of this double standard is for the United States to use its strong management power and technological advantages in combination with the Internet as a diplomatic pressure point in its pursuit of supremacy.


美国一向在互联网自由问题上对人对己实行双重标准,对外要求别国提供不受限制的“互联网自由”,并以此作为外交施压和谋求霸权的重要工具,对内则对互联网进行严格管制。


  互联网是一个开放的世界,“没有规矩就不成方圆”。互联网发展要讲规范,这已经是各国的共识。由于国家与国家经济发展不一,国情存在差异,社会制度不同,互联网的管理模式也不一样。因而,“网络自由”也是相对的,是有条件的,这个条件就是让多数人自由,维护国家利益,符合本国法律法规,而不是以他国意志为转移。而美国国务院此前发表《2010年国别人权报告》,却对别国的互联网管理指责,再现“只许自己放火,不许他人点灯”的双重标准。


  不妨让我们来看看美国的互联网情况:法律规定联邦政府在紧急状况下,拥有绝对的权力来关闭互联网;美国安全部门可以以反恐为由窃听民众电话、查看互联网通信;建立“网络水军”以假的人数和信息量削弱对己不利的宣传,制造有利于美国的言论,等等。从中不难看出,极力标榜和鼓吹互联网自由的美国,对互联网的限制相当严格。正如美国《外交政策》网站的文章所说,“美国政府对互联网的态度依然充满问题和矛盾”。


  美国打着人权的幌子谈互联网自由,其真实目的就在于,无视别国主权,无视别国法律,是一种打着人权旗号违反人权、打着自由旗号侵犯别国互联网主权的行为,而此种“网络自由”是一种惯有的强权霸道使然。其在互联网管理上的双重标准意图很明显,就是以美国的指挥棒为中心,听从他的指挥,服从他的指令,想占领哪就占领哪,想攻击哪就攻击哪,以互联网为依托谋取自身利益。


  美国赤裸裸地行使对内加强管制、对外要求别国提供不受限制的“互联网自由”的双重标准,其实质就是利用其强大的管理权势和技术优势,把互联网当作外交施压和谋求霸权的重要工具。  
This post appeared on the front page as a direct link to the original article with the above link .

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