China steps up web censorship

China has closed more than 3,000 internet cafés for what the government says are safety reasons following a fatal fire earlier last year (June 2002).

But critics of the government believe the move is part of a wider crackdown on internet usage and freedom of expression.

In November 2002, journalist Li Yibin, a 28-year-old computer science graduate, was arrested for his role in producing the online magazine Democracy and Freedom. Around the same time, two other so-called 'cyber-dissidents' were also arrested; more than 30 people are known to be under detention for similar reasons.

From the earliest days of the internet, Chinese officials have been trying to regulate its use and to restrict access to international media news.

Tighter internet regulations were introduced in China at the beginning of the year (2002), outlawing 'politically unacceptable' content, such as discussion of Tibet and democracy.

In a recent visit to the country, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder spoke out for free speech on the internet. He said: "Innovation and economic expansion can best succeed in an open society that does not impede the free flow of communication."

A 'self-discipline' agreement was drawn up by the Chinese Internet Association and enforced on major Chinese web sites and internet service providers (ISPs). Anyone who signs the agreement is forbidden from producing or passing on information that could harm national security and social stability. Detailed logs of users' names, addresses and telephone numbers must also be kept.

In 2001, 17,000 internet cafés were closed down. Those allowed to remain open were forced to install software to block web sites considered by the government to be politically or morally objectionable. Access to international news sites, including Reuters and the BBC, was blocked.

The only news feed permitted via the web is from the official Chinese news agency, Xinhua.

See also:
http://www.journalism.co.uk/news/story459.html
http://www.rsf.fr/article.php3?id_article=4488
http://www.rsf.fr/article.php3?id_article=4534
http://www.rsf.fr/article.php3?id_article=4570
http://www.cpj.org/news/2002/China10dec02na.html
http://iso.hrichina.org/iso/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2608305.stm
http://www.ojr.org/ojc/topics/index.php#45243

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