This story from today's Washington Post about When Wu Wei's Democracy and Freedom web site is about the age-old struggle between freedom and authoritarianism. It is a truism, of course, that new technologies like the Internet can be powerful aids on the side of expanding freedom and reducing authoritarian control. Of course, new technologies, if abused, can be used to counter the forces of freedom. But, on the whole, it is much more likely that the Internet, because of efforts like Mr. Wei's, will be a force for expanding rather than restricting freedom.

Hopefully, in his continuing battles with the Chinese authorities, Mr. Wei will draw some inspiration for his Democracy and Freedom project from the free-market and free-speech principles that guide us here at The Progress & Freedom Foundation.