The Russian and Chinese strongmen can continue to restrict access to information, but this only increases the thirst for freedom. Indeed, as long as people can read, see, hear, and speak, they will learn the truth of how others live and think in the world.
The steamroller of the information age has been heading to greet these totalitarian regimes for decades now. It has momentum. There is no stopping it.
The relentless efforts to do so merely add to the pent-up anger and frustration of the people. And their government has yet to see what is there already.
It can raid their homes and their offices; it can arrest them on bogus charges; it can torture them. But these measures only fan the fires of freedom. And these fires will not go out by killing the people in whose chest they are burning.
Nor is there a shortage of Nathan Hales in Russia and China whose only regret is that they have but one life to give for freedom in their country.