Code of conduct to control bloggers
Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – China’s internet administrators have released a draft voluntary code of conduct for bloggers and service providers after months of preparation that involved input from popular portals like MSN, Sina.com, Sohu.com and People.com.cn. Their goal is to tighten the authorities’ grip on the mainland's 20 million bloggers.
The draft code of conduct was posted yesterday on the website of the semi-official Internet Society of China for a week of feedback.
The society said that the code is “aimed to enhance regulation of the responsibilities and obligations of bloggers and blog service providers through industry self-regulation and an agreed format.”
It also claimed the code would ensure “continuous and healthy development of China's internet” since “some people are using blogs to spread unhealthy information, seriously disturb social order and public interests, and pollute the internet environment.”
Under the code, bloggers would have to sign an agreement saying they will not spread unhealthy, illegal, pornographic, defamatory or false information that might infringe on others' legal rights. They would also have to promptly delete illegal or unhealthy responses to postings.
Service providers would have to insist that users live up to obligations, and could refuse to provide services to anybody who did not sign.
The code also deals with the issue of real-name blogger registration, which has generated considerable opposition from bloggers for its effect on freedom of speech.
For two years the society has been working with Ministry of Information Industry to implement real-name registration but has run into widespread concerns over reduced freedom of speech on the internet.
A marketing manager of Zol.com.cn backed the requirement arguing that pornographic content on the website came mainly from posts by anonymous users and was hard to regulate.
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