Internet is a free space in Russia. It is a place where people resolve a host of issues related to their world-view as well as intellectual and psychological problems. Of course, the Internet space is nonetheless under the control of the authorities, especially when online discussions concern issues that could endanger the powers that be.
Alexander Prokhanov, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Zavtra shares his view on the issue.
I believe that the Internet is a free space in Russia. It is a place where people resolve a host of issues related to their world-view as well as intellectual and psychological problems. Of course, the Internet space is nonetheless under the control of the authorities, especially when online discussions concern issues that could endanger the powers that be. In such cases, suppression or support groups are established to contribute an element of white noise, taking the discussions, especially political ones, to the irrational extremes. These groups are used to suppress political initiatives.
The new law on the police, which came into force on March 1, 2011, includes a clause allowing them to close down any online resource without a court order. I dont think this measure really aimed at fighting copyright violations. It is sheer banditry, because a blog or a website, especially one that is registered as a media outlet, is no different from a newspaper or TV show. Such attacks at the dead of night, without any warning or even a court ruling, are crude and abhorrent acts of force.
I think that such attacks, or even the introduction of limitations on individual sites or, worse still, the whole of the national Internet space can only be justified and are only permissible in a state of emergency announced by the authorities to combat a terrorist threat, anti-government revolt, or massive attacks on the Constitution.
Full version of his interview was originally published on valdaiclub.com
Alexander Prokhanov, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Zavtra shares his view on the issue.
I believe that the Internet is a free space in Russia. It is a place where people resolve a host of issues related to their world-view as well as intellectual and psychological problems. Of course, the Internet space is nonetheless under the control of the authorities, especially when online discussions concern issues that could endanger the powers that be. In such cases, suppression or support groups are established to contribute an element of white noise, taking the discussions, especially political ones, to the irrational extremes. These groups are used to suppress political initiatives.
The new law on the police, which came into force on March 1, 2011, includes a clause allowing them to close down any online resource without a court order. I dont think this measure really aimed at fighting copyright violations. It is sheer banditry, because a blog or a website, especially one that is registered as a media outlet, is no different from a newspaper or TV show. Such attacks at the dead of night, without any warning or even a court ruling, are crude and abhorrent acts of force.
I think that such attacks, or even the introduction of limitations on individual sites or, worse still, the whole of the national Internet space can only be justified and are only permissible in a state of emergency announced by the authorities to combat a terrorist threat, anti-government revolt, or massive attacks on the Constitution.
Full version of his interview was originally published on valdaiclub.com