February 10, 2008

Beijing struggles to control Internet content

2731_041215%20CHINA%20Police%20waving%20%28150%20x%20113%29-1-tm.jpg Censors work to excise politics, pornography, while protecting China's official public image. The Baltimore Sun reports.

"All sorts of irreverent footage ends up on Tudou and other Chinese video sites - spoofs of public figures, off-beat animated films, Taiwanese music videos and real-life street scenes that display the spontaneity and edge missing from state-run television.

That's probably why the Chinese government is striking back.

A harsh new law that took effect this month forbids any content "which damages China's unity and sovereignty; harms ethnic solidarity; promotes superstition; portrays violence, pornography, gambling or terrorism; violates privacy; damages China's culture or traditions."

More damaging still is a requirement that firms distributing online video or audio be state-owned. If enforced, the law could kill the most vibrant media in China today."

Read full article.




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