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Congress set to grill Internet companies over China clampdown

Monday February 13th 2006, 7:59 pm
Filed under: Newspapers

U.S. Internet giants will come under unprecedented grilling in Congress this week for joining hands with China to censor the Internet, despite the proud American tradition of free speech.

Microsoft, Google, Yahoo and Cisco Systems have all agreed to appear on Wednesday before a House of Representatives human rights panel, which summoned them following public outcry over their compliance with Beijing.

By complying with China’s demand for censorship in order to enter the booming Chinese market, some of the top American Internet firms in essence have become “a megaphone for communist propaganda and a tool for controlling public opinion,” said Chris Smith, who will co-chair the hearing.

The Republican Representative from New Jersey, who heads the House subcommittee on global human rights and international operations, is drafting legislation imposing curbs on Internet companies seeking to expand into China.

Source: AFP via Yahoo! News

Link: Yahoo grapples with online rights; by Tom Zeller Jr., The New York Times

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