Chinese Generals Fear Cell Phones

Interesting insight on how China's military can no longer keep a lid on information, thanks to cell phones. From Strategy Page.

"In the last few months, dozens of generals and colonels have been dismissed from service, or otherwise punished, for making bad decisions.

These incidents include responsibility for the loss of an experimental AWACS aircraft and dozens of soldiers killed when a flood hit their barracks. In the past, such incompetence would have been covered up.

But the growing access to communications (over 400 cell phone users and over 100 million Internet users) means that word of these problems gets out, along with names and other details.

In a way, this is to the government's advantage, as the military tends to take care of its own. In the past, no one would get punished, and inept leaders would continue in their positions.

Now, the government is able to use the unfavorable publicity as an excuse to ditch corrupt and incompetent officers. "

emily | 1:32 PM | SMS and Politics |
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