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Rep. Smith (R-N.J.) Looks Forward to Honest Conversation With U.S. Internet Companies on Operating Procedures in China

Posted on: Tuesday, 14 February 2006, 15:00 CST

News Advisory:

WHAT:

"The Internet in China: A Tool for Suppression?"

Subcommittee on Global Human Rights, Africa and International Operations

Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Chairman

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m.

WHERE:

2172 Rayburn House Office Building

WITNESSES:

The hearing will consist of three witness panels.

Panel I:

-- James Keith, State Department Senior Advisor for China and Mongolia

-- David Gross, deputy assistant secretary for International Communications and Information Policy (Economic and Business Affairs Bureau)

Panel II:

-- Mark Chandler, vice president and general counsel, Cisco Systems.

-- Jack Krumholtz, director, Govt. Affairs and Associate General Counsel, Microsoft

-- Michael Callahan, general counsel, Yahoo

-- Elliot Schrage, vice president of Communications and Corporate Affairs, Google

Panel III:

-- Lucie Morillon, head of the Internet Freedom Desk, Reporters Without Borders

-- Harry Wu, publisher, China Information Center

-- Libby Liu, president, Radio Free Asia

-- Xiao Qiang, director, China Internet Project, University of California, Berkeley

-- Sharon Hom, executive director, Human Rights in China

LIVE WEBCAST:

The hearing will be broadcast on the web live at: http:// wwwc.house.gov/international(under)relations/

MEDIA ATTENDANCE:

Please contact the appropriate House Media Gallery for information: 202-225-3945.

DETAILS:

Rep. Chris Smith -- chairman of the House panel that oversees Global Human Rights -- is preparing questions for representatives of four major US internet companies that operate in China, State Department officials and representatives of human rights NGO's. The hearing will mark the first time in the House of Representatives that live bloggers will be permitted to report on the hearing in real time.

Earlier today, Secretary Condoleezza Rice announced a Global Internet Freedom Task Force in order to ensure "a robust US foreign policy response" to the international issues and fundamental human rights concerns inherent in the expansion of the Internet including: "the use of technology to restrict access to political content and the impact of censorship efforts on US companies; the use of technology to track and repress dissidents; and efforts to modify Internet governance structures in order to restrict the free flow of information."

"The establishment of the Global Internet Freedom Task Force by Dr. Rice is a welcomed step and is a provision already included in legislation that I am currently drafting to address the issue of internet freedom," said Smith. "I am looking forward to an honest and straightforward dialogue about the operating processes and procedures of internet companies in China, the demands put forth by this communist regime and the continuing human rights abuses by the PRC."

BACKGROUND:

For nearly 60 years, the People's Republic of China (PRC) has succeeded in manipulating the flow of information and stifling dissenting views. Constantly improving technology and the development of the Internet has challenged the Chinese government's ability to control news and information dissemination -- and more broadly, public opinion. Despite the rapid advancement of the Internet, many forms of expression online by individuals and the media remain significantly censored.

According to the OpenNet Initiative, "Compared to similar efforts in other states, China's filtering regime is pervasive, sophisticated, and effective. It comprises multiple levels of legal regulation and technical control. It involves numerous state agencies and thousands of public and private personnel. It censors content transmitted through multiple methods, including Web pages, Web logs, on-line discussion forums, university bulletin board systems, and e-mail messages." The Congressional Research Service notes that the "Chinese government employs increasingly sophisticated methods to limit content online, including a combination of legal regulation, surveillance, and punishment to promote self-censorship, as well as technical controls."

Many pro-business and pro-democracy observers argue that the expansion of the Internet and trade will result in increased freedom of expression and political openness in China. Yet, despite recognizing that the ability to communicate openly is essential to breaking down the walls of communism and repression, several of the top U.S. Internet companies have aided and complied with the Chinese Government's demand for censorship in order to enter the PRC market, in essence becoming a megaphone for communist propaganda and a tool for controlling public opinion.

---

For additional information about Representative Chris Smith and his commitment to global human rights, please visit http:// www.house.gov/chrissmith/ .

http://www.usnewswire.com

Source: U.S. Newswire

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