A list of officially banned words has been discovered by computer hackers in China, according to a report by the Daily Telegraph.

The list appears to be downloaded by computer users as part of an instant messaging programme, and is believed to be used to notify censors of emails containing words that are deemed to be politically or culturally sensitive.

Banned words include democracy and liberty, but also Christian, truth, sex and brassiere.

China's internet network is heavily censored, and the government is reported to employ 30,000 people to monitor internet and email traffic. Many sites are blocked to web users within China, including the BBC.

"All BBC sites, not just news, are blocked to users in China," a BBC spokesperson told dotJournalism.

"The BBC, and the UK government via the foreign office, continue to make regular representations to the Chinese Government on this issue and on the issue of the jamming of BBC shortwave broadcasts to China."

More news from dotJournalism:
China searches censored
China cracks down on SMS
Chinese journalist begins hunger strike

See also:
Chicago Sun Times: http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-china05.html

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