[856] Of censorship of blogs and its possible impact on web hosting industry

I bought a hosting plan from a Malaysian web host provider a year ago and it’s going to end later this month. I don’t plan on quitting blogging any time soon. Furthermore, I’m pretty much happy with the current service that I’m receiving; I don’t have too much complaint against my provider. So, it makes sense for me to renew my contract with them. However, with talk of censorship of blogs abound, I’m having a second thought; I’m thinking of relocating my server out of Malaysia.

As I’ve said again and again, I’d like to recognize myself as a libertarian. I hold liberty close to my heart. I will disagree to any infringement of my liberty and censorship is an infringement of my liberty. Therefore, it’s only natural for me to scorn the idea of censoring of any kind.

If the Malaysian government is going to censor blog, I’d like to preserve my liberty. It seems to me that the easiest way to preserve my liberty is to move my server out of the Malaysian authority’s sphere of influence. That means moving my server out of Malaysia and thus physically removed the threat of censorship off me. Australia sounds like a good country where free speech is relatively guaranteed. They speak English – well, sort of – and the time difference between Malaysia and Australia isn’t too perturbing.

I’m sure I wouldn’t be the only person in Malaysia to think of this. I’m sure if censorship of blog becomes a reality in Malaysia, many would move their server out of Malaysia. This would mean, less business for Malaysian web hosting providers.

What I’m trying to say is that censorship of blogs would hurt Malaysian web hosting industry with all else being equal. Government intervention would reduce the growth and probably the size of the industry (tag).