Apologies to Will for the post title. But Richard asked in the comments whether AP was being sarcastic in his evaluation of Microsoft’s statement on the shutting of blogs in China. The official MS response to journalists was.:

As a multi-national business, Microsoft operates in countries around the world. In line with Microsoft practices in global markets, MSN is committed to ensuring that products and services comply with global and local laws, norms, and industry practices. Most countries have laws and practices that require companies providing online services to make the Internet safe for local users. Occasionally, as in China, local laws and practices require consideration of unique elements.

AsiaPundit does not believe that this was a proper response. This is, as Fons describes, "an excellent example of corporate bullshit." How does shutting a blog that was protesting a purge of editorial staff at a noted anti-corruption newspaper "make the Internet safe for local users."? That makes it seem that Microsoft was suggesting that Anti was a danger akin to child porn distributors.

How should Microsoft have handled this? Shutting down a pro-free press blogger in China is pretty much impossible to spin positively. Instead MS should have issued something that defends its position and adds to the debate on whether or not it is the correct one. Basically, show some thought leadership.

As a publicly-listed business with billions of dollars invested in China, Microsoft first and foremost has a responsibility to its shareholders. While the company regrets the shutting of Michael Anti’s blog, the terms of service on the MSN Spaces China site clearly states: “We may cancel or suspend your Service at any time. Our cancellation or suspension may be without cause and/or without notice.” We can therefore assure shareholders that no liability was incurred.

Most countries have laws and practices that require companies providing online services to restrict Internet usage for local users - whether it is laws restricting child pornography or, as in Germany and France, restricting access to sites that promote Nazism. Nevertheless, Microsoft believes that the company’s services, even in strict regulatory environments, enables users of our services to build upon social and professional networks and enrich themselves and build civil society. At its core MSN Spaces believes in helping young people learn independent and critical thinking and fostering a culture in which people tolerate and benefit from different voices. And as Michael Anti himself stated, within China new Internet technologies are giving hope and inspiration people to people who feel they have lost their voices. Microsoft is proud to be within China in to help the country advance, give its people and their voices a place in a global dialogue and build a harmonious global society.

And besides, it’s not like we’re Yahoo! or anything. Those pricks got Shi Tao thrown in jail! All that happened to Anti was that he had to move back to blog-city. So bugger off and leave Bill alone. He’s busy trying to cure malaria and doesn’t have time for your petty bourgeois whining. Don’t you wankers care at all about Africa? Get your priorities straight, piss off and go pick on Jerry Wang.

Likely the final paragraph in the Chinese version of the press statement would have included a lot more references to "building a harmonious society" and none to Shi Tao.

Technorati Tags: anti, asia, blogs, censorship, china, east asia, northeast asia