User:Gblack505/sandbox

Media and Journalsim
China is among the few countries in the world where the public deals with no free speech and heavy censorship. The Chinese Communist Party, or the CCP, censors many aspects of the media. From insiders in prominent publication offices to social networking, the CCP has cracked down on journalists and activists in China. Websites such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter are blocked by the CCP. These social networking sites are censored to protect the Chinese government from criticism and dissent. Search engines often hide important events in history where the Chinese government has participated in controversial events. For example, all articles relating to the 1989 student riots in Tianamen Square do not appear when a search is made for Tianamen square. Instead, tourists websites appear. Other publications, such as online magazines or journals, are monitored by the government by insiders of the company. These insiders report to the Chinese government, who then act accordingly - they bribe, demote, or sue prominent journalists and editors. Some are fined, or even imprisoned. Censorship affects the public by creating prejudice and ignorance. By hiding key information, the people are left in the dark about controversial issues. They are left to blindly trust their government, instead of making their own decisions. This blatant censorship can be seen by everyone except China’s people. Even though publications work hard to do their job and tell the truth, they are silenced by the government. Many feel that China cannot become a superpower with this heavy censorship. Slowly, but surely, journalism, a profession based on truth and justice, is becoming propaganda for the Chinese government.

Moral and Cultural
The government’s censorship on media and social norms affects the moral obligations and abilities they want the Chinese people to have. The government tries to silence the thoughts and actions of people that may criticize them, or turn people against them. The government tries to push messages into people's heads by using propaganda, making them think the way they want, but this doesn’t always work. They have tried to change the way people interact with one another, changing the way they are allowed to act in public, and even at home. Usually, people are allowed to express negative thoughts about the way the government functions, but in China they are not. The government blocks any form of free speech that may lessen peoples opinions of them. Any grave mistakes made by the government that could start controversy are hidden from the people, because it could show weakness within the government. They do this by blocking certain websites, or keywords, that could spark could spark any discontent from the people towards them. For example, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and many social networking websites are blocked because people have the ability to write whatever they want on them, which could provoke writings, or research done against the government. The CCP overall has tried to change the way society functions, to make them look better, and block any form of government retaliation from the citizens of China.