Enemies of the Internet

Enemies of the Internet

Press Release: Terry Evans

17 March 2009

Reporters Without Borders - a Paris-based non-governmental organisation that advocates freedom of the press - has issued a report, entitled ‘Enemies of the Internet’. It lists 12 countries considered as "enemies of the internet", along with 10 other states "under surveillance".

The dirty dozen are Burma, China, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. All have transformed their internet into an intranet, in order to prevent their population from accessing "undesirable' online information.

Reporters Without Borders also placed "under surveillance" ten other states after they introduced measures that may lead to abuse: Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, South Korea, the United Emirates, Eritrea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Zimbabwe. The organisation draws particular attention to Australia and South Korea, where recent measures may endanger free expression online.

A total of 70 cyber-dissidents are currently detained due to their online postings. China is the world’s biggest prison for cyber-dissidents, followed by Vietnam, Iran and Burma.

ENDS

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