Editor's Note: Liu Jianxi is an opinion editor with CGTN Digital. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

After waves of harsh attacks against China's "oppression" on freedom, the United States fired back against its Indo-Pacific ally. In its recent report, CNN labelled India as "the internet shutdown capital of the world," accusing the world's biggest democracy of playing the lead in "digital authoritarianism."

Before bashing other countries' internet suspension, the U.S. seems to have forgotten the number of Twitter and Facebook accounts it has blocked for voicing views not in favor of America's politics. 

The world's super power has displayed its unrivaled skills in exercising double standards – while American social media platforms are actively taking down accounts denouncing Hong Kong violence, American media outlets repeatedly lashed out at other states for silencing dissenting voices on social media.

India's internet blackout comes after large-scaled violent protests against the passage of Citizenship Amendment Bill. So far, there is no detailed report on the reasons behind the shutdown, but for many, it is to prevent violence from escalation. 

After all, social media, in Hong Kong and many other cases, has turned out to be an effective tool to rally illegal protests. According to some observers, shutting down the internet in states that are being perplexed by protests might be the most convenient means by the Indian administration to curb violence.

Whether a blanket ban on the internet access is advisable in ending violent protests is still being debated, and no one would defend the Indian authority if it indeed breached the freedom of speech. But one thing is for sure: many countries have realized the significance of online regulation in this era where fabricated news, hate speech, and illegal material are imperceptibly penetrating into people's life via the internet.

The turmoil during the 2017 Kenyan presidential election is a typical example of the consequences of lax online regulation. News bulletins made to look as if they are from BBC were circulating in Kenya, falsely implying that the candidate financing them is leading over the other. The fake election news swayed voters' final decisions and eventually led to large-scaled clashes in Kenya.

Therefore, countries, be it democratic or non-democratic as defined by the West, are all exploring ways to keep a tight rein on the internet. 

As a major power in the world, the United States should play a leading role in this regard. However, Washington's online regulation could be equivalent to stifling dissenting voices. More ironically, hypocritical American media outlets and so-called elites are never tired of acting as a maniac in "human rights protection." 

For decades, the U.S. has been branding itself as a bastion of freedom and has habituated itself in acting as the world police, making carping comments on other countries' human rights conditions. But a review at the U.S.'s own deeds suggests that the country is acting the totally opposite.

CNN's criticisms on India could be applied to the U.S. as well. Willfully blocking Twitter accounts for "deliberately and specifically attempting to sow political discord in Hong Kong," Washington is using the account suspension as "an easy switch ready to be flicked to deny freedom of expression." CNN also criticized the Indian media as being "extremely pliant and is failing to hold the prime minister and his government to scrutiny." Has CNN fulfilled its role as the fourth estate and hold the U.S. politics to scrutiny when thousands of Twitter and Facebook account was politically blocked? Apparently no.

The U.S. should better self-examine whether it has shown full respect to human rights in the first place. Before figuring out the difference between online regulations and muting dissenting views, and fulfilled its due obligations in human rights protection, the U.S. has no qualification to comment on others.

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