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Internet censorship in China put to the test

24 July 2008, 03:05PM

Amnesty International is calling on Australians to help monitor access to key websites in China over the coming months, to test the extent of Government control over the internet.

Amnesty International's China Internet Censorship Index (CICI) is a unique web tool designed to collect data and highlight China's censorship framework known as the 'Great Firewall'.

"This tool will help us monitor exactly which sites are blocked and where in China, from now until the end of the year," said China Campaign Coordinator Sophie Peer.

The CICI generates a daily index which decreases when fewer websites are successfully accessed, and increases when more websites are available. Data is collected in a number of ways; automated tests run every three hours checking site availability via proxy servers in China, manual tests are run by participants within and outside of China via proxy servers and a control test is also run every three hours checking site availability from outside of China.

"This data will be updated dynamically and displayed on badges which people can put on their blogs, and social networking pages like Facebook. More in-depth information about access to specific sites will be available in a chart on our website www.uncensor.com.au.

"We will use this information to continue with our campaign for internet and media freedom in China, and call on authorities not to revert to the levels of censorship it imposed before the Games."

The CICI action is one of three web gadgets created for the online community wanting to take part in Amnesty International’s campaign. On Wednesday 30 July a viral 'Day of Protest' campaign will be held, with a series of webpage banners appearing on a range of websites. Throughout the day, viewers who visit participating sites will see a slightly censored version, and experience more directly the reality faced by internet users in China. With bloggers, local businesses and major retailer The Body Shop taking part, the Day of Protest will be potentially exposed to millions of users.

Amnesty International has also launched a social media campaign asking Australian bloggers to support their Chinese counterparts who are denied their right to freedom of expression online. This campaign includes online commentary, widgets and flag badges for the Australian blogging community who support freedom of speech.

"This is an innovative new approach to online campaigning. The issue of freedom of expression online will resonate with bloggers and the online community and we are taking our campaign direct to them," said Ms Peer.

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