[governance] China sets new rules on Internet news

[Adam Peake (ajp@glocom.ac.jp)]

(The first rule of comedy ...  timing.)

China sets new rules on Internet news

Reuters
Sunday, September 25, 2005

BEIJING (Reuters) - China set new regulations on Internet news content
on Sunday, widening a campaign of controls it has imposed on other Web
sites, such as discussion groups.

"The state bans the spreading of any news with content that is against
national security and public interest," the official Xinhua news
agency said in announcing the new rules, which took effect
immediately.

The news agency did not detail the rules, but said Internet news sites
must "be directed toward serving the people and socialism and insist
on correct guidance of public opinion for maintaining national and
public interests."

Established news media needed permission to run a news Web site, it
said. New operators had to register themselves with government
information offices.

China has a dedicated band of cyber police who patrol the Internet
with the aim of regulating content. Postings that criticize the
government or address sensitive topics are quickly removed.

Registration was a feature of rules imposed earlier this year aimed at
not-for-profit Internet activities, such as personal Web sites and
blogs.

Since March, university on-line discussion groups have been restricted
to students, removing a once popular outlet for Chinese keen to
publicize their views on sensitive issues. Student users and site
managers must register using their real names.

The biggest Chinese Web portals include those operated by Sina Corp.
<SINA.O> (www.sina.com.cn) and Sohu.com Inc. <SOHU.O> (sohu.com). Both
carry news.

Access to many foreign news Web sites is routinely blocked.

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