cóng从jiān yù监狱dào到suàn fǎ算法：yuè nán越南yǔ与shù zì数字shí dài时代de的zhèng zhì政治kòng zhì控制
A Vietnamese writer said that she was first arrested after taking part in protests in 2009, and later sentenced to ten years for her writing and for supporting human rights.
She had originally thought that the government’s most common method of control was prison; but over the years, she has found that the methods have changed.
In the past, many independent bloggers, journalists, and lawyers were tracked, harassed, and put in prison, and their families often suffered too, with their lives, work, and children’s education all affected.
Later, the internet allowed more people to share information and discuss social issues, and some civic organizations slowly began to emerge.
However, while the Vietnamese government allowed some environmental and public-interest organizations to operate, it continued to strictly restrict discussion of politics, freedom of speech, and freedom of association.
In recent years, even environmental activists may be arrested.
Since 2018, the cybersecurity law and digital technology have made control more hidden: content may suddenly disappear, accounts may be restricted, and smear campaigns, fake news, and mass reporting may appear online.
As a result, many people choose silence before they even have a chance to speak.
She believes that in the digital age, fighting for freedom of speech is not only about avoiding prison, but also about protecting people’s rights to speak, to be heard, and to take part in public life.