InfoAnda - Test for Vietnam government: free-speech bloggers

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Woman who saved Anne Frank's diary dead at 100 | 13 January 2010
"Radicalization" of Americans worrying | 30 July 2009
Fears of election violence to dent Kenya tourism | | 14 December 2012

Hamilton pips Massa to Formula One title in tense Brazil finale | 2 November 2008

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Test for Vietnam government: free-speech bloggers

Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: Test for Vietnam government: free-speech bloggers By BEN STOCKING,Associated Press Writer AP - Sunday, December 7 HANOI, Vietnam - Last fall, when police clashed with Catholic protesters over confiscated church land, the Vietnamese public didn't need to rely on the sanitized accounts in the government-controlled media. They could read all about it on the blogs. The photos and translated Western news reports about last September's outlawed prayer vigils were posted in a Vietnamese blogosphere where anything goes _ from drugs, sex, marriage and AIDS to blunt criticism of the communist government. Until now the government has generally taken a hands-off attitude. But officials at the Ministry of Information and Communications appear to be losing patience. They say they are preparing new rules that would restrict blogs to personal matters _ meaning no politics. Blogs and unlicensed news Web sites have taken on added weight since a crackdown on journalists cast a chill over Vietnam's mainstream media. In June, two journalists who had aggressively covered a major government corruption case were arrested and one of them was sentenced to two years in prison. Four others had their press cards revoked after running front-page stories decrying the journalists' arrests. The bloggers were quick to react. "We fought two wars to free ourselves from the shackles of imperialism and colonialism, all in the hope of having basic human rights," wrote Vo Thi Hao, a novelist and painter, on her self-titled blog. "Even the French colonial government allowed private media, opposition parties and free expression." Such sentiments would never appear in Vietnam's state-controlled media, which are dominated by admiring stories of the country's leaders or dull accounts of the bureaucracy at work. In the reporting of the vigils organized by the Catholic Church to demand the return of lands seized decades ago, the state media portrayed the protesters as lawless, while the bloggers portrayed them as principled and brave. "I get information from the blogs that I could never find in the state media," said Nguyen Thu Thuy, a blogger who delves into her religious beliefs and family life. "Everybody has the right to free expression," she said in an interview. Roughly 20 million of Vietnam's 86 million citizens use the Internet, according to the latest government figures. While high-profile bloggers are concentrated in the big cities, cyber-cafes can be found in all but the most remote corners of the country. Any public criticism of the government would have been unthinkable a few years ago, but today's bloggers are sometimes scathing. A popular Ho Chi Minh City blogger known as Osin recently chided Vietnam's top-ranking officials for chartering airplanes to fly to international meetings. "A head of state should not use a chartered plane to show off," he wrote, pointing out that when the prime minister of Thailand visited Vietnam, he came on a commercial flight. "A politician's reputation does not depend on whether he can fly around in a big plane. It depends on whether he values the taxpayers' money." Information and Communications Ministry officials did not reply to an interview request from The Associated Press. Vietnam has yet to go as far as neighboring China does in suppressing undesirable Internet content. It blocks some Web sites run by overseas Vietnamese that the government views as a political threat. But it has not hindered access to Yahoo 360, a blogging platform that is extremely popular with young Vietnamese. "It's interesting that they've chosen not to block it," said Rebecca MacKinnon, a professor at the University of Hong Kong who has written about China's Internet policies. "One assumes it's because they don't want to deal with the blowback it would cause." Still, the government occasionally tries to make an example of those who go too far. A blogger known as Dieu Cay was charged with tax evasion after encouraging people to protest at the Olympic torch ceremonies in Ho Chi Minh City shortly before the Beijing games last summer. He criticized China's policies in Tibet and the Spratly Islands, an archipelago in the South China Sea that is claimed by both China and Vietnam. Vietnam's government is particularly sensitive to anything it regards as fomenting public protests, and also is wary of upsetting its giant northern neighbor. Vietnamese bloggers often write confessional postings that have nothing to do with politics. One named "Sun's Secret" recently wrote about her upcoming marriage and her fears that she was rushing into it too quickly. "Sometimes I feel like I just want to run away from this relationship," she confided. Sun's Secret also confessed to feeling remorseful because she introduced two friends who slept together and later found out that they were HIV positive. "Is it my fault?" she asked. "I introduced them." Some bloggers say the government has failed to keep up with the spread of blogging, and think it's too late to roll it back. "The government doesn't have the technology or the manpower to control all the bloggers," read a posting on TTX Vang Anh, a popular self-styled citizens' "news agency." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Asia Pacific South Africa capture second Sevens victoryAFP - 1 hour 34 minutes ago Thailand opposition says can form governmentAFP - 1 hour 49 minutes ago France's Sarkozy meets Dalai Lama as China fumesAFP - 2 hours 14 minutes ago India attacker rose from crook to militantAP - 2 hours 39 minutes ago Test for Vietnam government: free-speech bloggersAP - Sunday, December 7 Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed Diamond thieves pull off 100-million-dollar Paris heist Do not disturb eggs: MP reveals Britain's oddest laws Cruise ship runs aground in Antarctica Girl, 8, among 17 dead in Manila shoot-out: police Oil price falls below $40 View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular

Other News on Sunday, 7 December 2008
Maradona touched by fans' response in India
Freemasons in Singapore celebrate 150 years of existence in region
Thai opposition says it can form govt
Beckham's Galaxy too powerful for Oceania All Stars
Record number of students expected to collect free used textbooks
War epic shines in Chinese-language 'Oscars'
Sustainability is key in deciding financial aid
'Warlords' wins best film at Chinese Oscars
France's Sarkozy meets Dalai Lama as China fumes
Thai opposition says it can form next government
Brit actor Vinnie Jones arrested in SD bar fight
Police: Man arrested in Mumbai probe is cop
Indian police arrest 2 men in Mumbai investigation
NKorea warns it will ignore Japan at nuclear talks
Bush: war in Iraq on its way to being won
US senators says Pakistan will act
Victorious teen bowler returns to Singapore to warm welcome
Children 'executed' in 1950 South Korean killings
India attacker rose from crook to militant
Amsterdam wants to halve prostitution windows, coffee shops
Test for Vietnam government: free-speech bloggers
South Africa capture second Sevens victory
Nobel literature laureate urges respect for overlooked cultures
Spy writer Le Carre honored by Swiss university
France's Sarkozy meets Dalai Lama as China fumes
Hundreds protest Vatican's opposition to pro-gay UN text
Pakistan central bank says growth to slow
China ups financial support to small firms
Indian police arrest 2 men in Mumbai investigation
Israel eases traffic restriction in West Bank city
Taliban and civilians hit by bombardment
Former leftist guerrilla to travel to France with Betancourt
Obama invites Americans to take a "Seat at the Table"
India police arrest two in Mumbai attacks probe | International |
Police: bombs and shootings kill 6 in Iraq
Sarkozy cites limited progress with eastern EU climate refuseniks
RugbyU: Harlequins stun Stade in Paris stronghold
France, Poland hold talks on European climate deal
Democrats near deal on cash influx for automakers
Spain marks 30 years of post-Franco constitution
Rioting across Greece after police shoot boy dead | International |
Russian Orthodox Church names interim head
Two killed in south Afghanistan fighting | International |
Palestinian leader Abbas attacks Hamas over haj | International |
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,209
Iran shells remote area of northern Iraq: mayor | International |
First Russian warship uses Panama Canal since 1944
Sarkozy defies China with Dalai Lama talks | International |
Emotional Ledger family accept Australian film award
Canadian opposition leader faces pressure to quit | International |
AP Interview: OPEC head predicts output cuts
Heath Ledger gets posthumous film award | Entertainment |
Italian mob drama Gomorra dominates European Film Awards | Entertainment |
Italian Mafia drama wins European Film Award
US senators say Pakistan will act
Children 'executed' in 1950 SKorean killings
'My Three Sons' actress Beverly Garland dies at 82
Mumbai attacks prompt elite to action -- for now
China blasts Sarkozy's Dalai Lama meeting as 'unwise'
Xinhua: Sarkozy's meeting with Dalai Lama 'unwise'
Hand-crafted Italian shoes kick financial crisis
'Cheeky' Spanish tradition brings toilet humour at Christmas
Del Toro attends screening of 'Che' in Havana
9 dead, 19 injured in Malaysian bus crash
Malaysia bans hillside developments after landslide: report
SKorean envoy 'not optimistic' over NKorea talks
Doubt over NKorea talks as envoys gather in Beijing
Solar panels to 'intelligent' barrels, winemakers on new course
Water buffalo rampage leaves 2 dead in Vietnam
Bangladesh gets its own Taj Mahal
US to deploy new forces south of Kabul to protect Afghan capital
Bangkok's red light district suffers from political chaos
Taiwan party chief visits Japan to mend fences
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
EU launches first navy mission, in pirate-infested seas
Voting starts in Ghana's presidential, legislative polls
Pakistani militants torch Humvees for western forces | International |
Merkel plays Scrooge as Germans demand shop vouchers
Iran tests new missile from warship: reports | International |
Democrats near deal on bailout loans for US automakers
Negroponte to travel to Israel
Taiwan party chief heads to Japan to ease tensions | International |
SKorea expresses pessimism over 6-party nuke talks
Walmart.com offers thousands of Wiis from Monday | Technology |
Solar panels to 'intelligent' barrels, winemakers on new course
India questions two over Mumbai attacks
Filipino boxing icon Pacquiao stands tall in TKO of De la Hoya
Five easy steps to plug online music leaks | Technology |
SKorea unveils fresh support for struggling farm sector
Indian FM denies call to Pakistani president
Former Thai ruling party meets as power struggle erupts
SKorea's Hynix to trim pay in recovery effort
Sri Lanka troops in 'kissing distance' of Tiger HQ: military
Chicago band uses digital savvy to promote album | Technology |
Afghan spokesman: 9 Taliban killed in gunbattle
America's latest 'must-have' -- an Obama trinket
Trucks torched at Pakistan terminal used for NATO
Australian navy catches suspected people smugglers
Pacquiao stops De la Hoya in key boxing match
Jonas Brothers get an upgrade in Mexico City | Entertainment |
Italy mob drama Gomorra rules Europe film awards | Entertainment |
Circus comes to town for Take That | Entertainment |
Five easy steps to plug online music leaks | Entertainment |
Clashes mar Indian Kashmir voting
Fehler 404
McCain warns against worsening of India-Pakistan ties
Australian authorities intercept suspected people smugglers
Loyalists of exiled former Thai PM Thaksin meet
Watchdog issues piracy warning for SE Malaysia
Search ends for Papua New Guinea landslide victims
Athletics: Kenya’s Luke Kibet wins Singapore Marathon in new record time
Promoters plan for more music festivals despite economic gloom
Thaksin loyalists desperate to stay in power
Thaksin loyalists look desperate to stay in power
Taiwanese students protest demonstration law
Taiwanese protest police 'abuse' during anti-China demos
Afghan official: 9 Taliban killed in gunbattle
SM Goh calls the late Mr Ho See Beng "an effective union leader"
Radio: Iran tests missile during naval maneuver
Twelve dead in Afghan violence: officials
India blasts Pakistan over hoax Mumbai call | International |
Thousands file past Russian Orthodox patriarch's coffin
Israel blocks bid by Arab MPs to break Gaza blockade
Pro-Thaksin party claims to have Thai majority | International |
India unveils $4four-bln economic stimulus package
Pakistan militants torch NATO supply trucks: police
Climate change: Sci-fi solutions no longer in the margins
Britain plots Zimbabwe invasion: Mugabe spokesman | International |
Thousands queue to bid farewell to Russian patriarch | International |
Ghana votes for new president to usher in oil era | International |
Families of 9/11 victims to watch Guantanamo trial
Israel halts boat planning to deliver aid to Gaza | International |
Taiwan party chief begins historic visit to Japan
Climate change: Sci-fi solutions no longer in the margins
Millions of Muslims ask forgiveness at haj climax | International |
India unveils $4 bln economic stimulus package
China in 'strong protest' to France over Dalai Lama meet
India announces $4 billion stimulus package
New Zealand house price fall steadies in November
Sudan confirms troop build-up in oil region | International |
India slams Pakistan over Mumbai hoax call reports
China to invest $22B on railways in north province
SKorea's Hynix announces new cost-saving steps
Media Park @ One North to begin Phase 1 development next year
More than 160 US, NATO vehicles burned in Pakistan
MediaCorp celebrities sell personal items for charity
Football: Singapore through to semi—finals of ASEAN Cup
Pirates fire on Dutch ship off Tanzania: watchdog
China lodges protest over Dalai Lama meeting
McCain: Afghanistan situation will get harder
Negotiators brace for 'tough' NKorea nuclear talks
Singapore suspends import, sale of pork products from Ireland
Sarkozy walks Chinese tightrope over Dalai Lama
Singapore—based medical student killed in bus crash in Malaysia
Indian minister denies call to Pakistani president
Clashes disrupt fourth phase of Kashmir elections
Jazz community holds concert for cancer—stricken musician
Discovery's Bear Grylls injured in Antarctica
More than 160 US, NATO vehicles burned in Pakistan
China lodges protest over Dalai Lama meeting
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01