CCIA Applauds Delay In China’s ‘Green Dam’ Project
6/30/2009
Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association
appreciates China’s decision to delay implementation of its new Internet
censorship tools. China had planned to require all computers sold after
July 1 come with Web-filtering software to make it easier to censor content
on the Internet.
The following statement can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed
Black:
“This shows that when US trade officials get involved, they get results.
Internet censorship is a widespread problem and for too long companies have
been left on their own to negotiate with other nations. Companies don’t
want to be caught in the middle. It’s hard for individuals and companies to
fight governments. You need governments to fight governments.”
“We're pleased with the delay on this issue that is part of a broader,
historic struggle between openness and repression -- not just in China but
Iran and North Korea. Ultimately, we would like to see the US government
negotiate issues of Internet openness and freedom in a broad, systematic
way as part of trade and other international agreements. That way it’s
easier to take action on the trade and human rights issues raised by
initiatives like Green Dam.”
Contact:
Heather Greenfield
202-783-0070 ext 113
Ed Black
202-783-0070 ext 110
