The Internet and Political Freedom

[Commentary] We're all just beginning to understand the importance of the modern-day version of Radio Liberty—the Web and services available online. It's time to get serious about protecting the freedom of servers.

Technology helps dissidents around the world share information, communicate and organize through services such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. These companies have done more thinking about the implications of their technologies than have the government agencies charged with defending the Internet. As of last week, at least the Treasury Department now makes clear it does not prohibit companies from helping dissidents. Still, we're a long way from having a clear policy in support of the liberating power of digital technologies. The potential is unmistakable. The Cold War was won by spreading information about the Free World. Information was backed up by hard power. In a world of tyrants scared of their own citizens, the new tools of the Web should be even more terrifying if the outside world makes sure that people have access to its tools.