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China Ups Web Censorship Pre-Olympic Games
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ShareJanuary 07, 2008 9:45 AM
In the lead-up to the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing has increased censorship of the Internet, imposing a new law that bans video and audio postings on the Web by Chinese citizens without a license. Violators face the threat of prison.
Under the new rules, anyone operating a Web site that provides video content or allows users to upload or download videos will have to obtain a license from the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) and must renew the license every three years.
Press freedom advocates are outraged.
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"This is an unprecedented act of censorship," said a Reporters Without Borders spokesperson. "Under the pretext of developing China's media industry, the authorities are stepping up their control of online content, especially in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics."
The Chinese government said in a statement issued Thursday that those who provide Internet audio and video services "must serve socialist ideals and the Chinese people."
Last August, a number of Chinese Internet companies, including Yahoo!.cn and MSN.cn, signed a conduct pledge with the Chinese authorities to try to get bloggers to register under their real names, to keep registration details and to delete blog content that was wrong or inappropriate.
In 2007, China blocked access to more than 2,500 Web sites and arrested six bloggers. It continues to be the world's biggest prison for Internet users, with a total of 51 cyberdissidents currently detained.
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January 7, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (12)
Why do we close down American factories and relocate them to Red China? Together we can protest against Walmart & China.
Posted by: CarlosX | Jan 7, 2008 5:28:42 PM
Well...we are headed for the same thing. It's just not happening as sudden.
Posted by: Andrew | Jan 7, 2008 7:37:26 PM
Andrew's right, we'll be there soon - haven't you noticed the serious reduction of our civil liberties and articles of our Constitution? While the press is giving us second by second account of Brittney Spears upcoming total breakdown they are sleeping through illegal spying, rendition, the fight for Net Neutrality, etc...
It's called McWorld and we're in BIG trouble people WAKE UP, DO SOMETHING!
Posted by: Sickofitall | Jan 7, 2008 8:12:20 PM
Oh my God! I just cannot believe that a Socialist state would do such a thing! (NOT!)
Posted by: CE | Jan 7, 2008 10:20:19 PM
China maintains tight controls on the internet, blocking several foreign news sites and frequently forcing domestic sites to remove controversial material. Google complies with China’s demands.
China is not included in any numerical limitation of the Kyoto Protocol.
While the world watches the U.S. debate abortions limitations China makes it compulsory without criticism.
How about a double standard for everyone ?
Posted by: Lorenzo | Jan 8, 2008 7:44:23 AM
Playing devil's advocate, don't you think a lot of people in America would save a lot more time if we didn't have all that crap and tv online. I agree with "CE" above--this shouldn't come as any surprise.
Posted by: Kelly | Jan 9, 2008 11:56:28 AM
The press is upset about China’s restriction of .the press.
Why is the press so relatively silent about China’s civil rights record?
Posted by: Warren | Jan 9, 2008 11:54:00 PM
I can only echo the sentiments of the earlier comments.
It's a short article and will leave little doubt in your mind that China's current censorship of the Internet will be ours shortly.
James Cicconi, senior vice president, external & legal affairs for AT&T, seems to be leading this effort. You will find that this guy is right in the middle of the Bush circle and it's continued war on our civil rights and freedom of information.
Posted by: Dave | Jan 10, 2008 11:52:43 AM
Worth the comment on the consistency in which those like Dave can take any world situation and turn it into the US is/will be worse and Bush is at fault.
Religious zeal ?
Posted by: Rachel | Jan 11, 2008 8:22:46 AM
As a photographer and human being, I was amazed to learn that a person in China was able to read my "Photo" blog posts, but was restricted from seeing the actual photos. These were landscape shots and fine art, and nothing obscene.
By the way, do the Walmarts in China sell USA goods? and do their people bitch about the quality?
Posted by: Bob Perrin | Jan 19, 2008 1:11:45 PM
Only someone who is firm on his stances on the likes of net neutrality can save the US from this and WORSE.
Posted by: Mike | Jan 28, 2008 12:18:18 AM
let it go. probably stretching height. turtles them. leaf then. up to woods
Posted by: ibmhouseaust | Mar 28, 2008 2:00:27 AM
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