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Investment firms push human rights

Pretty amazing: Reporters without Borders along with 25 U.S. and International investment firms pledged shareholder support "for an increased commitment to freedom of information by major Internet and technology companies."

The backdrop for the afternoon’s conference was a recent incident wherein Yahoo’s Hong Kong branch supplied information about an e-mail sent through its servers to the Chinese communist government. The e-mail—sent overseas by Chinese journalist Shi Tao—outlined new media restrictions imposed before the 15th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. The Chinese government charged Shi with “divulging state secrets abroad” and sentenced him to ten years in prison on April 30.

“Information supplied by Yahoo led to the conviction of a good journalist who has paid dearly for trying to get the news out,” an RSF press release stated. The company was apparently under no obligation to cooperate with mainland Chinese authorities.

jon posted this at 12:05 AM
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