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  • Internet Filtering in Burma: Depth and Implications From The Western Perspective

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    The document discusses internet filtering in Burma from a Western perspective. It notes that Burma has strict internet controls, with only two state-owned ISPs and very low internet penetration. The military junta regime holds power and was recently "elected" after 20 years, though Western states do not recognize the election as legitimate. The West supports sanctions on Burma due to its repression of opposition and restriction of internet access, which is seen as essential for democracy. The junta continues to tightly control internet access and social media.

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    The document discusses internet filtering in Burma from a Western perspective. It notes that Burma has strict internet controls, with only two state-owned ISPs and very low internet penetration. The military junta regime holds power and was recently "elected" after 20 years, though Western states do not recognize the election as legitimate. The West supports sanctions on Burma due to its repression of opposition and restriction of internet access, which is seen as essential for democracy. The junta continues to tightly control internet access and social media.

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    68 views14 pages

    Internet Filtering in Burma: Depth and Implications From The Western Perspective

    Uploaded by

    KristinKopach
    The document discusses internet filtering in Burma from a Western perspective. It notes that Burma has strict internet controls, with only two state-owned ISPs and very low internet penetration. The military junta regime holds power and was recently "elected" after 20 years, though Western states do not recognize the election as legitimate. The West supports sanctions on Burma due to its repression of opposition and restriction of internet access, which is seen as essential for democracy. The junta continues to tightly control internet access and social media.

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    of 14

    Internet Filtering in Burma

    Depth and Implications from the Western


    Perspective

    Kristin Kopach
    University at Albany
    December 10, 2010
    http://www.ashin-sopaka.online.de/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/walking-monks.jp
    g
    • “Question: Why doesn’t Burma have
    any dentists?
    • Answer: Because we aren’t allowed
    to open our mouths.”
    - Reporter for the Democratic Voice of Burma
    Facts: Politics
    • Military junta regime (SPDC), recently
    “elected” on Nov. 7, 2010. Took over
    gov’t in 1968
    • SPDC changed name to “Myanmar” in
    1989. Referring to it as Burma denotes
    support for pro-democracy movements
    • Aung Sun Suu Kyi: Rightfully won
    elections in 1990. Placed under house
    arrest until November 13, 2010
    Views from West
    • US/UK/CA/EU all support sanctions.
    • CA/UK fund many humanitarian
    programs
    • US, out of all, has most interest in
    access to unfiltered internet
    Facts: Internet
    • Internet: 2 ISPs, state owned.
    ~.2% internet penetration
    • Most internet accessed at cafés for
    $0.30-0.50/hr. Average daily
    earnings:$3.00/day.
    • Average connection speed- 50KB/s
    Social
    Social content: Content related to sexuality, gambling, and illegal drugs and alcohol, as well as other topics
    that may be socially sensitive or perceived as offensive.

    http://map.opennet.net/filtering-IT.html
    Political
    Political content: Content that expresses views in opposition to those of the current government, or is related to
    human rights, freedom of expression, minority rights, and religious movements.

    http://map.opennet.net/filtering-IT.html
    Conflict & security: Content related to armed conflicts, border disputes, separatist movements, and militant
    groups.

    http://map.opennet.net/filtering-IT.html
    Internet Tools
    Internet tools: Web sites that provide e-mail, Internet hosting, search, translation, Voice over Internet Protocol
    (VoIP) telephone service, and circumvention methods.

    http://map.opennet.net/filtering-IT.html
    Depth of Filtering
    The Election
    • First in 20 years
    • Many parties disenfranchised, many citizens made ineligible
    to vote
    • DDoS attack/ Sim Card ban
    • Electioneering occurred
    • “The elections were based on a fundamentally flawed
    process and demonstrated the regime's continued
    preference for repression and restriction over inclusion
    and transparency”
    -President Obama
    • “Heartbreaking”- Secretary Clinton
    Elections: Aftermath

    • No Western states recognize the


    election as democratic
    • No indication of lifting sanctions
    • Aung Sun Suu Kyi is trying to get
    internet access in her home
    What does this tell us?
    • The new way of accessing information is the
    internet, hence the new medium for social
    change (ex Zapatista movement in Mexico)
    • The West, particularly the US, feel that access
    to the internet is essential to democracy
    • Burma does not seem to be opening up their
    internet access therefore:
    • The West will continue sanctions
    • The junta will continue enjoy its dictatorship
    Fin

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