Re: [atlarge-discuss] Government control of Vietnam websites

[eric@hi-tek.com]

We are currently translating many articles relating to this activity and
have meetings scheduled this afternoon to discuss the issues.

I can say this about the situation at this time.  My daughter is denied
internet access at her Junior high school, my son cannot use email at
his high school and my eldests' college
threatens monitoring.  This is in the left coast of California.

Now in Vietnam we are more protecting of our children and our recent
past has caused us great worry.  Bali is close and until the very recent
past we have been subjected to US
supported anti-government sentiment.  So we worry a bit more about
national security and cultural integrity than most countries. Further,
Vietnams' cultural diversity is one of its'
greatest gifts and National resources. Our company will assist in anyway
to help with appropriate publishing and editorializing.  Remember a
large part of the control over web site
content is in accordance with the BTA with the USA and copyright
protection.  The USA requires we crack down on copyright infringement in
order to trade with them.

But rest assured there is increasing access and an ever increasing
desire and allowance for the expression of independent thought and words
in Vietnam.  Those of us working in information
technology and in the Internet Cafe business's are not worried at all
about any abridgement of freedom of speech as we know it in SouthEast
Asia.  The great new leaders of Vietnam
are assuring us of continued progress and important economic progress.

It is quite ironic that while homeland security issues in the USA are
abridging our freedom of speech rights and court procedure rights, In
Vietnam we are moving the other direction.  Yet the associated press
gives this article instead of one on the USA.  In the USA Big Business
censors by way of IP interests in Vietnam we censor only for cultural
integrity.

The GA list of the ICANN fame has far more censorship than anything in
Vietnam.

If you would like more just ask as time goes by.  Vietnam is on the
cutting edge of doing things right because they are learning from the
mistakes of others as they develop into a
leading nation.

Sincerely, and thank you for your interest,
Eric

Ron Sherwood wrote:

> Good afternoon, Eric and other members:
>
>     Do you have any information on today's AP report?
>
> Filed at 9:40 a.m. ET
>
> HANOI, Vietnam (AP) -- Vietnam has issued new rules requiring businesses and organizations to get government permission before setting up new Web sites, an official said Monday.
>
> Worried by the increasing numbers of Vietnamese with access to news from outside sources, officials have been trying to tighten their control over the Internet.
>
> The government recently ordered that owners of the country's estimated 4,000 Internet cafes be held responsible for controlling their clients' Web surfing.
>
> In March, police arrested physician Pham Hong Son for translating and posting an article on democracy from a U.S. State Department Web site and posting it on the Internet.
>
> In August, the government shut down an online political forum, TTVNOnline.com, for posting information critical of the government.
>
> The Ministry of Culture and Information, which issued the new rules, did not divulge the penalties for breaking them.
>
> Under current law, however, Internet offenses in the tightly controlled communist country are punishable by fines of up to $3,250 or up to three years in jail.

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