China, also known as the People’s Republic of China or PRC, is a country located in the east of Asia. It is the largest Asian country and has the biggest population in the world at around 1.4 billion. Its ruling and founding political party is called the Communist Party wherein the head of state is the President, elected by the National People’s Congress. He supervises the state council which consists of four vice premiers and the heads of ministries and commissions.
Although Human rights are exercised in this country, a sample of which is the freedom of speech, it is not freely implemented, since it is limited and firmly restricted by specific regulations and laws. This essay will tackle the restriction of freedom of speech in China.
Limited Freedom of Expression
Freedom of expression is the right to convey ones opinions and thoughts without fear of being punished by the country’s government. And although a lot of countries are exercising freedom of speech, some countries like China don’t have this as one of their basic human rights.
As a sample, during the 2008 Summer Olympics, the Chinese government agreed to release permits allowing the people to protest in specific areas designed as protest parks in Beijing, but most of the applications sent to the government were either refused, banned or withheld and the police authorities even apprehended the people who applied for permits. If you are looking for essay examples, for example, a freedom of speech persuasive essay, it would impossible to find an essay that cites controversial issues. This is because access to web pages considered by the authorities of China as “threatening” or “risky” to the Communist Party are blocked on the internet.
On the brighter side, The Chinese government is spending huge amounts of money on catching and blocking not only web pages that advertise political change within the country, but also websites which may have violence and pornography. According to the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, Chinese citizens can enjoy the freedom of the press and freedom of speech.
However, these kinds of freedom are not institutionally protected. Public speeches that consist of forbidden subjects that can have a huge impact on the people could result in a penalty by the government, and that can include criminal sentences.
As a country ruled by communism, it does not accept any disapproval or protest from its people, and other parties defying the government and criticizing them are at risk of persecution. As a Chinese citizen, you are not allowed to freely use social media and have access to western news since it is also controlled by the government.
Other Restrictions
Aside from the government’s restriction on freedom of speech, there are other limitations and regulations as well, such as on the administration of publishing and radio and television administration. According to the constitution regarding the administration of publication, no publication may include content on specific matters, and some of them include:
Those threatening the unification, jurisdiction and territorial integrity of the State
Those which trigger hatred or discrimination, weaken the unity of the nation or violate national customs and habits
Those which disturb public order or ruin public security
Those which inseminate obscenity, gambling, violence or initiate crimes
Those which insult or slander others or violate the legal rights or interests of others
Those which threaten public ethics or national cultural traditions
On the other hand, regarding radio and television, the constitution states that the government forbids radio and television stations from producing or broadcasting programs containing specific content, and some of them are:
Those which threaten state security, honor, and interests
Those which disclose state secrets
Those which defame or insult others
Those which spread obscenity, superstition or plays up violence
Any other content that is forbidden under provisions of laws and regulations.
Any violators may be subject to administrative penalties or be criminally prosecuted.
Conclusion
Overall, China’s restriction on freedom of speech is disadvantageous, and which is why a lot of Chinese from mainland China are relocating to neighboring countries. While others are migrating because of work, some are moving because of the government’s strict laws and regulations. Freedom of speech is important to everyone. After all, that is what makes us human.
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