Laos

The regime does not allow a free media or permit new information technology to be used to spread democracy. Since the country went online in 1996, the government has controlled the ISPs and Internet use has grown only slowly. Connection time is expensive and Laotians are afraid to use a media they know the government and its agencies closely monitor. There are only about 50 cybercafés in the capital, Vientiane, and Laotians mainly use the Internet just to send and receive e-mail. They can only access websites approved by the government, which has blocked the opposition site vientianetimes.com, based in the United States and a major irritant for the regime (and not to be confused with the site of the same name set up the government). Anyone who tries to reach the site gets a message back warning that the attempt has been "recorded." The government set up an Internet Committee of Lao in 2000, which includes three ministries - information and culture, posts and telecommunications and transport and science - and has drawn up rules for Internet users, banning online publication by Laotians at home or abroad of any material likely to "harm national unity." The official news agency KPL said in October 2000 that people who used the Internet in "the wrong way" by lying or getting people to protest against the government could be prosecuted or deported. The country's main ISP, Lao Telecommunications, says a journalist can publish material if he has permission from the Internet Committee and the appropriate ministry. E-mail is also tampered with and many people complain that messages do not reach their intended recipients in Laos. When then do, the authorities may have changed the content, since Laotians must provide their passwords when they open an account with a Laotian ISP. Links: The ISP Lao Telecommunications Dissident news site (based in the US)