Clinton: Internet freedom should be part of U.S. 'national brand'

Posted By P.J. Aroon Thursday, January 21, 2010 - 2:58 PM Share

Today in her speech on Internet freedom, Secretary Clinton declared:

I hope that refusal to support politically motivated censorship will become a trademark characteristic of American technology companies. … It should be part of our national brand." 

She had some tough talk, saying:

Countries or individuals that engage in cyberattacks should face consequences and international condemnation."

She also said:

In an interconnected world, an attack on one nation's networks can be an attack on all."

Clinton took a tough stance, as she ought to have. So many of us rely so much on the Internet, and cyberattackers thousands of miles away can wreak so much havoc with just a few clicks.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government isn't too happy 

Referencing Google's donations to Obama's campaigns, an editorial in the Chinese government-controlled Global Times yesterday labeled the U.S. administration as "Government Google" and stated:

The world's top search engine, once hailed by many Chinese as a flagship of global innovation, is now on the brink of being made a political football played by the White House, and has aroused strong, hostile reactions from some Chinese users."

Joshua Roberts/Getty Images

EXPLORE:EAST ASIA, CHINA, HILLARY, INTERNET
 

STACYX

1:56 AM ET

January 22, 2010

Now that's irony- China is

Now that's irony- China is using censorship and propaganda to try to trash google! Is that why the Chinese were leaving candles, notes and flowers and Google's China's headquarters begging them not to leave?

I don't think China is going to lose much sleep after the speech. While she said there should be "consequences" she then went on to say, with respect to google and China, that the U.S. and China will of course have differences of opinion, etc. etc. etc. almost as though that's an excuse for China having their particular view of censorship and for the U.S. not really making too much of a stink about it.

 

Madam Secretary is an obsessive blog about all things Hillary Clinton. From her policies to her pantsuits, Madam Secretary delivers up-to-the-minute news, analysis, and gossip about America's top diplomat.