Not sure what the big deal is, freedom of information can be misused especially on an ill informed public, Singapore used to have a lot of restriction of information and still does hence we remain low on the Press Freedom List. Freedom of information was slowly opened up as society developed when people had better standards of living and were able to make informed decisions. Looking at where my country is today the people who laughed at our nanny state government are now trying to find jobs here (including trollers on PDF who laugh at us yet earn in our currency).
China society simply isn't mature yet, the restriction prevent the people who have not benefited from China progress in making ill informed decision. The people who have benefited easily find ways around the restriction but are able to make informed decisions from themselves. Some restrictions are excessive but why take the chance?
Ultimately if the masses make a decision based on influence from other governments and results in crackdown by the government PDF trollers will have another field day about oppression and what not.
Looking at this list the champions of information freedom are either very developed nations or countries with enough resources to easily sustain their populations. An immature society should not have unlimited freedom of information, would you let your 10 year old child have complete and unrestricted access to the internet & MTV?
Press Freedom Index - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
That's a pretty sound explanation and similar to my views.