Google vs. China for Media Freedom

What do you get when the world's largest search engine and the world's largest nation disagree? Apparently, a couple of superpowers tip-toeing aorund each other to peaceably come to an agreement.

In early January, Google threatened to remove censorship of search results in China. So far, no changes have been made, and no further announcements of change have been reported. Neither has china taken liberty to shut out Google nor made any threats of its own. China, with a more restrictive government, naturally does not appreciate such a threat from Google. Currently in China, certain websites are restricted that may impede on the nation's security or "social order." Unsurprisingly, Google insists that all its users have open access to all things Google. Simply put: Google wants to grant users media-freedom, and China wants to maintain control of the media through censorship.

Considering the Chinese government's restrictive nature in comparison to that of the U.S., it is probable that China will not concede to Google's request for a lack of censorship on its search rersults. China does have leverage against Google by opting to close down Chinese Google (www.google.cn) altogether if the search engine lifts censorship. However, no decisions are being made as of yet since Google enjoys hefty revenue from its partnership with China and the Chinese enjoy using the search engine. Also, if Google were actually to remove censorship, it could necatively impact some of China's other businesses including up-and-coming Android cell phone products. Hopefully, a compromise is imminent.

If Google were to completely shut off its connection with China (or if China were to pull the plug on Google), many people would face unemployment, and both sides would have to suffer through bad PR. In the meantime, Google must be sure not to change censorship settings contrary to Chinese law, or else its many employees could face arrestment. ...Yet another reminder to be thankful for our personal freedom...
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61408520100205
--Britt