Text Messages Giving Voice to Chinese

Zhao Yufen, a scientist at Xiamen University, organized a petition protesting the construction of a chemical factory and expressing concern about potential accidents, health risks and environmental damage. Local officials supported the factory, which could potentially double the city's gross domestic product, so national officials ignored the petition. Then a blog published Zhao's issues, igniting interest. Using cell phones and the internet to pass text messages and photographs, thousands of people turned out for street protests. Chinese censors shut down some of the websites, but other sites soon picked up the story. Eventually, after a visit by President Hu Jintao, officials agreed to stop the project. Technology spurred instantaneous communication and outrage, helping citizens to challenge censors and political controls. – YaleGlobal