Self-Censor or Be Censored

Human rights advocates and Internet users in Russia are complaining about the increased interest of security forces in the online space, accusing authorities of stirring fear and intimidation, says BusinessWeek.

Some worry that the Internet, considered Russia's "last remaining censorship-free refuge" by media professionals, may now be under threat.

21-year-old musician Savva Terentyev faces trial for "inciting hatred" toward law enforcement, saying that "the cops and scum are the same thing," among other comments, on a friend's LiveJournal blog. He faces four years in prison if convicted.

It is a crime in Russia to disseminate information that incites national, racial, social, or religious hatred through the mass media. Terentyev is considered the first "hate blogging" case, but similar cases are raising concern and interest.

"I am convinced that if the Internet users themselves do not end this mess, especially if we do not restrict our speech to filter obscenities, then the state, sooner or later, will do it for us," said State Duma lawmaker Viktor Alksnis on his own blog.

"And if the authorities do intervene, then we will all get what is coming to us and we will never see the end of it."