-Caveat Lector- Beijing clamps down on Internet use
By MARTIN FACKLER, Associated Press BEIJING (January 18, 2002 8:44 p.m. EST) - In its most intrusive Internet controls yet, China has ordered service providers to screen private e-mail for political content and will hold them responsible for subversive postings on their Web sites. The new rules, posted earlier this week on the Web site of the Ministry of Information Industry, represent Beijing's latest efforts to tighten its grip on the only major medium in China not already under state control. The regulations also create new difficulties for a competitive industry trying to attract more overseas investment. Foreign software makers must now guarantee in writing that their products do not contain hidden programs that would allow spying or hacking into Chinese computers. The rules also require computers playing an important role in Chinese networks to use only domestic software. Many in the industry had hoped for a more liberal climate following China's entry into the World Trade Organization. But the rules pointed to Beijing's resolve to keep the Web from being used to spread opposition to Communist Party rule. Under the new rules, general portal sites must install security programs to screen and copy all e-mail messages sent or received by users. Those containing "sensitive materials" must be turned over to authorities. Providers are also responsible for erasing all prohibited content posted on their Web sites, including online chatrooms and bulletin boards. The new rules include a long list of banned content, prohibiting writings that reveal state secrets, hurt China's reputation or advocate ethnic separatism, "evil cults," or the overthrow of communism. The cults ban covers the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which has frequently resorted to the Internet to defy a harsh two-year crackdown. Pornography and violence are also prohibited. Authorities have struggled to deal with the Internet since it took off in China in the mid-1990s. They want to prevent it from becoming a forum for political discontent without harming its value to business and education. China issued its first guidelines on Internet content in late 2000, requiring providers to monitor online chatrooms and bulletin boards and keep records of users' viewing times, addresses and telephone numbers. In a country where other major media only mouth the party line, the Internet is often a lively site of impassioned debate. When a fireworks explosion at a southern Chinese school killed dozens of children last year, a flurry of postings criticized the official version blaming a lone bomber and repeated foreign news reports that teachers had forced the children to make firecrackers. ------------------------ "In little more than a year we have gone from enjoying peace and the most prosperous economy in our history, to a nation plunged into war, recession and fear. This is a nation being transformed before our very eyes." http://www.truthout.com Steve Wingate, Webmaster ANOMALOUS IMAGES AND UFO FILES http://www.anomalous-images.com <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
