media - Journalism prof attacks Google decision

Journalism professor Chan Yuen-Ying denounced the decision by Google to censor its own service as damaging for the press freedom in China, writes The Guardian today from the al-Jazeera conference on press freedom in Qatar. Professor Chan is teaching at both Hong Kong University and Shantou University.

"It's one thing for China to block the site but another for Google to help block the site. Smart internet users [in China] have a way to get to the [uncensored] site. There was no reason for Google to help [censor]."

Earlier a representative of Google tried to defend their decision. Some more quotes:

"All media is still state-controlled and owned and but the managers are asked to make money. The state has cut subsidies so [media organisations] have to sink or swim.
"The second challenge is to create a new culture of professional standards based on credibility, fairness, trust and authenticity, how to do investigative journalism - yes, it does exist in China - and how to use undercover reporting and how to push the limits."
"I think China will open up, but in the meantime a good journalist is dancing in chains - doing their best in a birdcage.
"Chinese journalists are looking up to al-Jazeera to see how we can do it."