The Politics of Censorship – Bryan ThetfordSuch an enormous investment is, of necessity, associated with legislation and bureaucracy. In 2010, the People's Republic of China published a white paper through its Information Office detailing its Internet implementation and regulation policies (Xu). Delegating control to more than a dozen government organizations and detailing 18 specific laws or decisions regarding the Chinese Internet, the document is nothing short of comprehensive (Dance to The Revolution). Despite this, it is widely considered a propaganda article, prompting one American writer, Rebecca MacKinnon, to compare reading the white paper to reading an article from The Onion. The comparison of a legislative document with a publication known for its witty and scathing parodies arises from the stark contrast between the spirit of China's laws regarding Internet censorship and their practical implementation in everyday life (MacKinnon). For example, the 2010 white paper states: “Chinese citizens fully enjoy freedom of expression on the Internet. The Constitution of the People's Republic of China provides Chinese citizens with the right to freedom of expression. Their right to freedom of expression on the Internet is protected by law, so they can express their opinions in different ways on the Internet. » (Information Bureau, RPC) However, less than a year after the publication of the white paper, more than 200 people were placed in "soft detention" and 26 were arrested in connection with an online appeal by activists to a “jasmine revolution” similar to the uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East (Richburg). Among those arrested was Ai WeiWei, a prominent Chinese artist. Ai WeiWei, an active Twitter user, adept at circumventing China's blockade of the popular social networking site via...... middle of paper ......oyama, Kentaro. “How Internet Censorship Really Works in China.” The Atlantic. Atlantic Desai, Rajiv. “Dr Rajiv Desai Blog”. Blog by Dr. Rajiv Desai. Np, Qw January 2012. Web. March 3, 2014. .Mack, Lauren. “Internet Censorship in China.” Internet censorship in China. About.com, and Web. March 3, 2014. .Wiseman, Paul. “Breaking the “Great Firewall” of Web Censorship in China. » ABC News. USA Today, nd Web. March 3, 2014. .Rininsland, Edrew. "Internet censorship listed: How does each country compare?" Theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media, April 16, 2012. Web. March 2. 2014. .