This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/mar/19/internet-censorship-emerging-countries-pew

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pew study points to support for internet freedom in emerging countries Pew study points to support for internet freedom in emerging countries
(35 minutes later)
A survey covering 24 emerging countries by the US-based Pew Research Center has concluded that the populations in the majority of them strongly support internet freedom.A survey covering 24 emerging countries by the US-based Pew Research Center has concluded that the populations in the majority of them strongly support internet freedom.
The organisation interviewed 21,847 people face-to-face for the study, asking them “How important is it to you that people have access to the internet without government censorship?”The organisation interviewed 21,847 people face-to-face for the study, asking them “How important is it to you that people have access to the internet without government censorship?”
Available answers included very important, somewhat important, not too important and not important at all, with the surveys conducted between 3 March and 1 May 2014. Available answers included very important, somewhat important, not too important and not important at all, with the surveys conducted between 3 March and 1 May 2013.
“Majorities in 22 of 24 countries surveyed say it is important that people have access to the internet without government censorship,” claims the report. “In 12 nations, at least seven-in-ten hold this view.”“Majorities in 22 of 24 countries surveyed say it is important that people have access to the internet without government censorship,” claims the report. “In 12 nations, at least seven-in-ten hold this view.”
The 22 countries where a majority of people surveyed agreed that uncensored internet access is important range from Indonesia (where 55% said this) up to Venezuela (89%).The 22 countries where a majority of people surveyed agreed that uncensored internet access is important range from Indonesia (where 55% said this) up to Venezuela (89%).
Only Uganda (49%) and Pakistan (22%) dipped below the 50% mark, meaning that a majority don’t see internet censorship as an important issue.Only Uganda (49%) and Pakistan (22%) dipped below the 50% mark, meaning that a majority don’t see internet censorship as an important issue.
“Opposition to government restrictions on the internet is especially common in several of the Latin American nations surveyed, including Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Bolivia,” claims the report. “It is also widespread in the Middle Eastern nations of Lebanon and Egypt.”“Opposition to government restrictions on the internet is especially common in several of the Latin American nations surveyed, including Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Bolivia,” claims the report. “It is also widespread in the Middle Eastern nations of Lebanon and Egypt.”
Pew also concludes that support for internet freedom tends to be strong in countries with high rates of internet penetration, and weaker in countries with lower penetration rates like Indonesia and Uganda.Pew also concludes that support for internet freedom tends to be strong in countries with high rates of internet penetration, and weaker in countries with lower penetration rates like Indonesia and Uganda.
Russia, where a relatively low 66% of people surveyed said they see uncensored internet access as important, is one of the countries to buck that trend.Russia, where a relatively low 66% of people surveyed said they see uncensored internet access as important, is one of the countries to buck that trend.
“In 14 nations, people ages 18-29 are more likely than those 50 or older to believe an uncensored internet is important,” adds the report, although it points out that over-50s still tend to support internet freedom.“In 14 nations, people ages 18-29 are more likely than those 50 or older to believe an uncensored internet is important,” adds the report, although it points out that over-50s still tend to support internet freedom.
“Age gaps of 20 percentage points or more are found in Russia, Lebanon, Tunisia, Bolivia and Senegal. These age differences suggest that support for internet freedom will only become more widespread with the passage of time.”“Age gaps of 20 percentage points or more are found in Russia, Lebanon, Tunisia, Bolivia and Senegal. These age differences suggest that support for internet freedom will only become more widespread with the passage of time.”