Today’s Library Link of the Day pointed us to this PCWorld story about “Google Shareholders Vote Against Anti-Censorship Proposal.” Apparently some Google shareholders opposed Google’s self-censorship, which is necessary for the company to operate in some countries, such as China. They prepare a proposal against this practice but the shareholders voted it down and the management agreed with it too. I guess (the possibility of) doing business is more important to the company whose motto used to be “Don’t be evil.” (Interestingly they changed their tagline this week to “Search, Ads, and Apps.”)
I understand that public companies don’t have as many options as private ones, because they have to do what the shareholders want. (It is questionable thought that who controls or influences the shareholders.) Presumably the shareholders primary, if not only motivation is profit. This decision of keep continuing to do self-censorship proves this simple truth again.
I also understand that it is can be a tough choice: stay out of China for lofty ideals or do business and try to change the situation from the inside. This reminds me of the communist party’s thinking and persuasive rhetoric in the 1980′s. They said that if you want to change the system you have to join the Party and work on it from the inside. Lots of people fell for it. The problem with this thinking is that once you are in a system it can corrupt you sooner than you’d notice. Eventually the system fell not because of the people who joined the party, but due to the efforts of those who stayed outside and refused to play the game. I have to admit though that, at least in Hungary, their partners in assuring a non-violent system change were the “reform communists”. These were the people who were party members, but did want some change, just not as much as the opposition.
My point is, that I believe that self-censorship is harmful, whether we talking about a person, a company or a country. It does not provide long term answers or even a sense of absolution.
This entry is part of my Intellectual Freedom series.
