
Calling all cyber-dissidents...
Published: 23 September 2005 16:30 GMT
Free-speech advocate Reporters Without Borders has published a guide for blogging in China, Iran and other countries that strictly censor the web.
The 87-page booklet, titled The Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-Dissidents, includes chapters on how to blog anonymously and on technical ways to get around censorship. Released on Thursday, the handbook is available for free online, in Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi and French.
Reporters Without Borders' Julien Pain writes in the handbook's introduction: "Bloggers are often the only real journalists in countries where the mainstream media is censored or under pressure. Only they provide independent news, at the risk of displeasing the government and sometimes courting arrest."
At least 70 "cyberdissidents" have been imprisoned to date, according to the Paris-based group. China has jailed the most, with a total of 62 sent to prison, the group said.
Arash Sigarchi, a contributor to the handbook, may soon be one of them. This year, the Iranian government sentenced him to 14 years in jail for writing critically about the regime. He is free, pending an appeal.
In addition to bloggers' personal stories, the booklet offers technical information for dodging government censors, including tips for thwarting filtering technology that can block access to select web pages. The book also covers email encryption, online pseudonyms and anonymous proxies, discussing ethics and how to attract an audience.
Pain writes: "This advice is, of course, not for those [terrorists, racketeers or paedophiles] who use the internet to commit crimes. The handbook is simply to help bloggers encountering opposition because of what they write to maintain their freedom of expression."
US journalist Dan Gillmor, Canadian specialist in internet censorship Nart Villeneuve and US blogger Jay Rosen all helped produce the book, Reporters Without Borders said.
Alorie Gilbert writes for CNET News.com
Classic ASP Developer: Dartford, Kent: ? Due to further client wins and continued growth we are looking for an additional Classic ASP developer to ...
My Hertfordshire based client urgently requires a Business Analyst for an initial 6 month contract. Our ideal candidate will have a minimum 5 years ...
Bloggers and community people need only apply ! Ideally you will live and breath the community space, be a true blogger and know what makes people ...
Agenda Setters 2009
Welcome to the ninth annual Agenda Setters poll – silicon.com's list of the top 50 most influential individuals in the technology and IT industries, from techies and CIOs to entrepreneurs and business leaders. Find out more in our latest special report.
Managing a growing threat: An Executive's Guide to Web Application Security
5 Sources of Value Through a Telecom Expense Management Initiative
Adopting Server Virtualization for Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery with CA Recovery Management and VMware...
Stories from the web...
Copyright © 2008 CBS Interactive Limited. All rights reserved. Top of page
Peter Cochrane Peter Cochrane's Blog: How the telcos could save themselves Doomed network operators could thrive with a bit of innovation
Peter Cochrane Peter Cochrane's Blog: Facebook saves teen from prison Another unexpected impact of social networking