Case: Google withdraws from China John Herkins

For years, China’s government has been oppressing the freedom of speech to all of its citizens and reporters. Since the introduction of the internet and the service that it holds, China’s government created its own internet which many analysts say has been intended to control what their citizens can read. Many reporters who have investigated on China’s government and police corruption, propaganda, and censorship are barred out of the country and not let in. Those who have successfully entered the country and get caught investigating sometimes end up in the Black Jail, where they are detained without trial, and forced to leave the country. Google is a huge face of freedom of speech and the providing free information without censorship. A few years ago, congress tried putting through the SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) which created an out lash towards the American Government and an American’s citizen’s right for a free web. Many websites such as Google took part in an internet blackout that informed those of what was going on and how SOPA violates freedom of speech. Google’s China’s domain Google.cn is now redirected to its new website Google.hk. Google is no longer censoring information from the Chinese citizens because of their belief in a free web. The fact that they are standing for what they believe in and taking action in doing so shows their commitment to the cause. China is a large market in which the Google Company will lose, but Google is used worldwide and has become increasingly popular since the launch. Growing economies in less developed countries will start to demand more internet services for its citizens. China is just a speed bump that maybe one day will be worn down. Freedom of speech and free information is a human right. Google made the right choice when they stood up for what they