Sometimes bloggers forget that “freedom of speech” is largely an American concept, and doesn’t necessarily apply equally to everyone around the globe. One Chinese blogger found that out the hard way after racially slurring someone he wasn’t too fond of on his personal blog when he was tossed in the clank for it.

According to the website Committee to Protect Bloggers, A 24-year old who called holds the online identity “Fragrant Prince” ran a blog that was private, meaning open to invited members only. In a moment of indiscretion, Fragrant Prince posted a blog that insulted on particular individual by calling him “a stupid Malay,” and adding that he stank. Though the blogger removed the post and replaced it with an apology, good old Google was there to index the blog, even though it was removed.

As relations between Chinese and Malays are notably tense in Singapore, calling the man what he did was considered a “thought crime” and assumedly dangerous. The Committee to Protect Bloggers called the fellow “a tool” and said, “But once you start arresting people for being tools, you better have a gigantic prison.”

That’s undoubtably something the Chinese government is willing to take on. I find it interesting that a large majority of internet users simply assume anyone has the right to say whatever they like without any repercussions. Even bloggers in the U.S. that write Machiavellian “big brother” style posts are watched closely by the government; under the Patriot Act, the government has the right to do some very Constitutionally questionable things to people who simply speak their minds.

It should be noted that China isn’t a democratic republic, and certainly isn’t required to keep government fingers off people they feel to be threats. A word of warning to bloggers everywhere: you don’t have as many rights as you think. If you’re considering posting something that could be controversial, maybe let it sit for a while before clicking “Publish.”

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Entry was posted on Friday, May 23rd, 2008 at 3:03 am under Blogosphere, Google.

Read more entries by Triston McIntyre.
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