Central Asia: Internet avoiding censure

Posted by John Burke on May 4, 2005 at 6:40 PM

Although most don't have access, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports that the influence of the Internet in Central Asia is growing. In a region still plagued by government censure, the Internet facilitates journalists' research and is allowing them to publish material that would normally be prohibited in traditional media. "The reason is simple," says Julien Pain of Reporters Without Borders. "In countries with rather authoritarian regimes, it is easier to control traditional media than the Internet, where dissents can express themselves more freely." Despite the truth in this statement, Internet penetration is very low due to technical illiteracy and the cost of connecting. In this respect, Eric Johnson, director of Internews International said that "(Central Asian governments) are worried about the Internet, but they don't perceive it as a major threat, so they don't try terribly hard to control it."

Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

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