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Yahoo and MSN are among internet companies to have signed new Chinese government guidelines that ‘encourage’ them to register and store the real names, addresses and other details of bloggers.
Previously the government had tried to implement legislation making registration mandatory, but this was strongly opposed by the internet companies and the users. Nevertheless, observers say that in reality the authorities can still demand the identity of people posting material online.
Vincent Brossel, of the press freedom group Reporters without Borders, said the more cautious wording in the guidelines would protect nobody because the word ‘encourage’ in China means ‘compel’. He said: ‘When the government wants this type of information they will be able to get it, because we know that in the past these companies, including Yahoo and MSN, have delivered private information about internet users.’
Brossel said the ‘self-discipline’ agreement, as it is being called, has been publicized in China and bloggers know they cannot have anonymity. ‘I think it will have a chilling effect, and it will increase self-censorship,’ he said.
Another clause in the agreement is that blog service providers will monitor comments and delete information of which the government does not approve.
About 30 million people in China write online diaries and their numbers continue to grow. The blogs have become an important forum for people to state and exchange views but the new arrangement is likely to close off this means of free expression.
Previously the government had tried to implement legislation making registration mandatory, but this was strongly opposed by the internet companies and the users. Nevertheless, observers say that in reality the authorities can still demand the identity of people posting material online.
Vincent Brossel, of the press freedom group Reporters without Borders, said the more cautious wording in the guidelines would protect nobody because the word ‘encourage’ in China means ‘compel’. He said: ‘When the government wants this type of information they will be able to get it, because we know that in the past these companies, including Yahoo and MSN, have delivered private information about internet users.’
Brossel said the ‘self-discipline’ agreement, as it is being called, has been publicized in China and bloggers know they cannot have anonymity. ‘I think it will have a chilling effect, and it will increase self-censorship,’ he said.
Another clause in the agreement is that blog service providers will monitor comments and delete information of which the government does not approve.
About 30 million people in China write online diaries and their numbers continue to grow. The blogs have become an important forum for people to state and exchange views but the new arrangement is likely to close off this means of free expression.
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