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China censoring foreign video sharing sites

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

January 3, 2008, 1:24 PM

In an obvious effort to keep its citizens from seeing content that it hasn't already pre-approved, the Chinese government is about to block video sites it doesn't control.

The new laws in China will take effect at the end of the month. Under the policy, Web sites that offer streaming video in the country will need to obtain a permit to operate. Applicants will need to be either state-owned or controlled to qualify.

It is not known how sites like YouTube, which operates a Chinese-language service would qualify as a foreign company since its base of operations is in the United States. It is possible that access to YouTube could be blocked entirely by Chinese ISPs.

YouTube may be able to get around the new law if its servers are based in China, however it is not clear whether the company's Chinese site is hosted in the country or in the United States.

Banned material according to the law would be content with national secrets, content that sullies the reputation of the country, socially disruptive material, and pornography. "Those who provide Internet video services should insist on serving the people" and socialistic principles, the Associated Press reported the new policy as stating.

China's recent crackdown on Internet traffic may have something to do with meetings of the Communist Party, which took place in October of last year. Observers note that there seems to be a correlation between the meetings of the country's ruling party and crackdowns on free speech.

In October, around the time of the meeting, all search engines in China were redirected to state run Baidu briefly in what was believed to be an attempt to control the dissemination of information surrounding the event.


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By kashin

posted Jan 3, 2008 - 10:14 PM

The Chinese government can keep placing these restrictions all they want, they're not going to silence the masses forever. Kind of like bathing your dog in the bathtub. Sure, you can hold him down and force him to stay, but there's bound to be some water splashing and one day the dog will bite your hand and jump out. It might take another 50 years or more, but it's inevitable.

Score: 0

By bolaris

edited Jan 4, 2008 - 7:59 AM

Very true! BUT it could go the other way. They could become a bubble nation like north korea. As new generations are born INTO the bubble they become more and more moulded to internal propaganda. Whats next? mandatory praise chanting and bowing toward posters of government officials....

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jan 3, 2008 - 1:38 PM

Observers note that there seems to be a correlation between the meetings of the country's ruling party and crackdowns on free speech.

You mean crackdowns on speech. While the folks in the US (and various other countries) are guaranteed the right to speak freely without fear of retribution from the government, not all countries believe and protect similar rights.

The concept of Free Speech is actually still relatively new. Hell, we're still working it out. The article seem to imply, in that sentence specifically, that it is a right they are being denied.

For them, it was never a right to begin with. Their tradition and culture has, in the past more than now perhaps, valued honor, loyalty, and respect over such "rights".

Score: 0

By dhjdhj

posted Jan 4, 2008 - 4:59 PM

They are?
Oh.
--->While the folks in the US ... are guaranteed the right to speak freely without fear of retribution from the government

Score: 0

By sjc001

posted Jan 3, 2008 - 2:43 PM

Some people actually believe that these are rights given to Man by God and apply to all people even though freedom of speech and belief directly violate two of the 10 Christian commandments. ;-)

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Jan 3, 2008 - 3:44 PM

Some people believe their toes talk to them.

You're more than welcome to your beliefs, but try to not force them upon others, thank you. :)

...and yes, I did get the sarcasm. ;)

Score: 0

By sjc001

posted Jan 3, 2008 - 8:12 PM

Forced like "Demockracy" on Iraq?

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Jan 4, 2008 - 9:54 AM

Yes, because you're right. No-one in Iraq wanted that....

Score: 0

By foxfyre

posted Jan 3, 2008 - 3:34 PM

Responses like this reinforce Voltaire's comment that God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh, and Twain's assertion that God somewhat overestimated his abilities when he created man.

But the comment does provide a pretty solid rebuttal to the notion of intelligent design!

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jan 3, 2008 - 3:42 PM

LMAO.

Ouch.

Score: 0

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