Should Google try to prevent the Chinese government from censoring search engine results?

Topic:
Internet Debates

16 Contributors
in this discussion.

Yes
44% of users

  • Because Google is a private enterprise, they should endeavor to maintain their rights as such.

    While the government of China is right to govern its people, it should not have the right to censor an outside private Internet enterprise, such as Google. If they are going to allow Google to operate legally in China at all, then they should accept their autonomy as a private enterprise. Otherwise, they should not allow them to operate in China.

    Yes MariaR

  • I do not believe Google should censor itself in China, because they should not compromise the ideals that they represent.

    Google has stated that, instead of boycotting business in China, they would do more good by cooperating with the government. Previously, however, Google has refused to disclose information to the U.S. Department of Justice about what people were searching for. Conceding to Chinese censorship would seem inconsistent to the image that Google has created for itself. An appropriate course of action would involve boycotting Chinese business.

    Yes TraumaVlen

  • Yes, as censorship is incompatible with political freedom, and ultimately with optimal economic growth, it needs to be fought from a variety of angles.

    The Chinese regime has proved agile in holding on to power, despite widespread dissent and agitation regarding economic distress in the Chinese population, and the political repression that prevents that population from controlling its own destiny. And censorship, along with the brutal use of outright force, has been a major weapon of this longevity. While domestic activism must be the primary means by which political change in China is achieved, multiple levers of pressure must be brought to bear in precipitating change. Democratic governments certainly have to do their share. Yet given its economic clout, popularity, convenience, capacity for technical innovation, and considering the Chinese government's desire to continue the nation's process of modernization and growth, Google would appear well-poised to use its own influence and technical prowess to facilitate greater access to information, and the exchange of ideas among the Chinese populace.

    Yes M4I4cFeIine

  • Google should try to prevent Chinese censorship because it's good for human rights and civil liberties.

    Google should try to prevent Chinese censorship of search engine results. People are happier and more fulfilled if they live in open societies and Google can use its influence to help create positive change. Criticism from Google and other entities is one tool that can help promote change by raising people's awareness and putting pressure on the Chinese government.

    Yes eithene

  • Chinese inhabitants should have the same possibilities of choosing information as any people of other countries.

    The people of China should have the same possibilities making up their own opinions about things as people of other countries. If the information is censored, they will get a one-sided point of view of the world. All political news should be uncensored and neutral. However, I think that violence and porn should be censored ALL over the world.

    Yes J Reed

  • The Chinese Government shouldn't be allowed because hasn't everybody got a right to information and the real world?

    I believe that everybody in this world has a right to know everything that goes on in the world. If you they censor search engine results, the people of China will only have a percentage of that knowledge and not know the full extent of world events and situations.

    Yes UrHen

  • I agree that censorship is wrong, and that the purpose of the internet should be to allow people to explore a world of information.

    That said, I question how far Google can go in its efforts to stop censorship in China. Certainly they can attempt a boycott, but despite the breadth of Google, we are talking about one of the biggest economic powers in the world. I think that the real solution must rely on the people of China standing up to a government that has worked long and hard to suppress the rights of its citizens.

    Yes Shim2free
Voice Your Opinion
No
56% of users

  • Google has no business interfering with a government's policy.

    While Google may feel it wrong that a government censors its search engine results, it is the right of that government to control what its citizens can access. It is not the responsibility of Google to decide what citizens of another nation may or may not have access to. If Google crosses that line then they move from large-scale corporation to global governing body.

    No KnownEvan

  • Google should not have a say in the matter, as it is China's decision.

    China's decision to censor Google content is more of a political action. Therefore, Google shouldn't be allowed to interfere. If Google is allowed to go over the Chinese government's head and decide what content to allow, then that could start a slippery slope with other companies deciding they want to chose what content to display. These decisions should ultimately be left to the respective governments.

    No AverageHoward86

  • Google should not try to prevent the Chinese government from censoring search engine results, because the Chinese government is more powerful than Google.

    The Chinese government has control over the largest population in the world. If Google tries to prevent the Chinese government from censoring search results, the Chinese government can simply ban Google from China. This will limit Chinese citizens' ability to find legally allowed information, and hinder their use of the Interest.

    No SqualidVaughn

  • It is not the responsibility of American businesses to control the interests of other countries.

    I don't feel that any American business, nor America herself, should try to control other countries. If the Chinese government feels that it is in the best interest of their country to censor search engine results, then let them. China is huge, and most of our products are manufactured there. So let's not give them any reason to dislike us any more than they already do. If Google doesn't want China to censor results, then don't provide any Google services in China.

    No CleanJoey

  • Google should not try to prevent the Chinese government from censoring search engine results.

    Google should not try to prevent the Chinese government from censoring search engine results because China is a sovereign nation with the right to establish their own laws. Turn the situation around. How would the US feel if a company in Eastern Europe tried to dictate to the United States that child pornography was legal in Eastern Europe and therefore must be allowed in the US?

    No JamieM

  • Google's attempts to stop China from censoring search results will not work, and to try would be a waste of resources.

    While China's attempt to censor Google's search results is not right, Google's efforts to stop it will not be effective. China has a lot of resources and will be able to threaten action on Google that will make it not worth Google's while. If China chooses to censor its media that is something that the rest of the world will just have to accept.

    No VincenzoB

  • I disagree because of China's rights

    China's goverment is the representative of their people. Any government's power comes from it's people, and so China's governments stands for their country's beliefs and if China does not want to view certain results, then China shouldn't have to. Who is Google to tell a nation what to do?

    No Anonymous

  • I disagree with Google because of the young children.

    Any parent would want a censored internet. Can you imagine your child going online only to see things that will affect them for the rest of their natural life? The things they see when they are young stay with them until adulthood, and change who they are as people. I believe in the Constitution and freedom of speech, but that does not make adult videos popping up decent or right.

    No R0y4IFunky

  • I do not think Google should try to step into the Chinese governments censoring issues.

    It is not Google's place to try and decide what the Chinese government has deemed their laws and way of life.

    No Ch4ddMc
Voice Your Opinion

Related Debates

Debate Topics

 
 
Should Google try to prevent the Chinese government from censoring search engine results?
Top of Page
© 2010 Juggle, LLC
All Rights Reserved
Encyclopedia & Reference Resource