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Scoble Challenges Microsoft Again on Chinese Blogger Censorship

Microsoft uber-blogger Robert Scoble is taking the controversial (perhaps to his job) position that Microsoft is wrong to take down Chinese blogger Zhao Jing, aka Michael Anti. That takes balls.

Former CNN anchor-turned-blogger Rebecca MacKinnon reports on the issue here

"Note," she writes, "this blog was TAKEN DOWN by MSN people. Not blocked by the Chinese government."

Says Scoble, "I do believe in a slippery slope. If they come after you today, maybe they’ll come after me tomorrow. Gotta stop this kind of stuff while we’re still talking about you." He offers Anti space to guest blog on his blog, uncensored.

"Guys over at MSN: sorry, I don’t agree with your being used as a state-run thug," Scoble says.

But then he says he needs to check the facts to be sure.

So why didn't he check the facts before posting?

In June, Scoble was embroiled in controversy with MacKinnon over his company line on free speech. Under a rain of criticism, he soon ate his hat.

Categories: Best Practices, Blogging and Moblogging, Business Communications, Politics, Thought Leaders, Worst Practices

BL Ochman | Jan 3 06 5:52 | TrackBack (0)

Comments

What I don't understand here is if this Anti guy wanted less "tyranny" as you put it, why didn't he setup his own domain and his own hosting? Why does he go to a third party blog host in China that has a very restrictive TOS?

Something smells rotten here, and me thinks it's not in the cafeteria at MSN China.

Posted by: TDavid at January 3, 2006 6:57 PM

Oops my bad on the "tyranny" part lol, It wasn't you that said that. I'm sorry, too many windows ... should have put your comment post in preview. My bad.

The second part of that comment was meant for you, BL. Sorry. I agree with everything you said.

Posted by: TDavid at January 3, 2006 6:58 PM

Scoble's follow-up at 6pm:
"I have been talking to lots of people today, though, inside and outside of Microsoft. In every instance they asked me to keep those conversations confidential. Why? Cause we’re talking about international relations here and the lives of employees. I wish I could go into it more than that, but I can’t. Not yet."

What would you advise? Given that Gates's big presentation is at the big Consumer Electronics Show is tomorrow.

Posted by: Jon Garfunkel at January 3, 2006 11:31 PM

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About BL Ochman

Blogger, social media strategy consultant to Fortune 500 companies, and sought-after corporate speaker B.L. Ochman heads the creative team of whatsnextonline.com. She also publishes the Ethics Crisis blog for SRF Global Translations

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