Guest Column

Defenders of Free Speech

By Dr. Yaron Brook

In order to do business in China, several well-known U.S. companies have agreed to block certain "offensive" words, e.g., freedom, for China's communist censors. Important as it is to condemn these companies, it is even more important to applaud the well-known U.S. companies that refuse to help China kill freedom.

"Congratulations to Time, USA Today, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal for their courageous support of freedom of speech; and shame on Microsoft, Yahoo and Google for their betrayal of this crucial value--the very value that makes their own existences possible," said Dr. Yaron Brook, executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute.
It’s noted that "those who kowtow to the communist censors will no doubt say they have to obey the laws of the countries where they do business. But why do they have to do business there? They will argue that leaving the vast Chinese market to foreign competitors will only hurt America economically--and kill any opportunity they might have to promote free speech in China. But was CNN able to promote free speech in Iraq when, all those years prior to the war, it prostituted itself to the censors of the mass murderer Saddam Hussein? How do you promote free speech by being complicit in its suppression?
        "Time, USA Today, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal didn't grovel for business: they have policies--and principles--against submitting to censorship. Their principled stand deserves our recognition."

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Dr. Yaron Brook, executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute, is available for interviews on this topic. Contact: larryb@aynrand.org or 800-365-6552 ext. 213.

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