January 7, 2009 by James Oliver
The Internet is by definition a democratic concept. Anyone can write, post and upload almost anything they want with little control from governments possible. This is why the Chinese government has some tiny problems with it. They recognised long ago that the Internet was an essential part of their economic and social future though they have historically tried to limit its subversive potential, by restricting foreign news and dissent with their national search engines. Essentially they want to have their cake and eat it.
Up to now, most of the controversy and coverage surrounding Chinese Internet restriction has surrounded political censorship, though the Chinese government have also long been trying to restrict access to sexually explicit material. Recently they have stepped this up a gear, naming Google sites and several others as conduits that unlawfully provide access to “vulgar content.”
These sites have been instructed to restrict the access to pornographic content forthwith. These ‘instructions’ are being taken by the companies and the industry as a barely veiled legal threat, particularly as the ruling communist party is trying to paint the crackdown as an anti-crime crusade.
The public are being encouraged to report any sites and even any forum posts that contravene the government’s line on this issue.
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