Google removed its search engine from mainland China this week as the first step in their plan to halt their Chinese operations entirely.

This follows apparently unsuccessful discussions with the Chinese Government regarding the censorship of search results and the hacking of e-mail accounts of several Chinese human-rights activists.

Reporter Meaghan Dew asked Bruce Jacobs, Professor of Asian Studies at Monash University, to explain Google's withdrawal and the effect it will have on those involved.

Audio: 

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google syncast FINAL.mp3