Many people had hoped that social media might liberalize China’s free speech policies and blow open the door to broader public discourse. However, in the last year China has launched a massive campaign to control online speech and so far the country has succeeded.
Earlier this year, the Chinese government launched its biggest-ever clampdown against online speech, arresting dozens of people for spreading “rumors” and holding closed-door meetings with some of the country’s most influential bloggers. Now Beijing is declaring victory.
Illegitimate governments fear free speech.