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China tightens net news rules
Sites must serve "the people and socialism"

By Reuters

Published: Monday 26 September 2005

China set new regulations on internet news content on Sunday, widening a campaign of controls it has imposed on other websites, such as discussion groups.

Announcing the new rules, which took effect immediately, the official Xinhua news agency said: "The state bans the spreading of any news with content that is against national security and public interest."

The news agency did not detail the rules but said internet news sites must "be directed toward serving the people and socialism and insist on correct guidance of public opinion for maintaining national and public interests".

Established news media needed permission to run a news website, it said. New operators had to register themselves with government information offices.

China has a dedicated band of cyber police who patrol the internet with the aim of regulating content. Postings that criticise the government or address sensitive topics are quickly removed.

Registration was a feature of rules imposed earlier this year aimed at not-for-profit internet activities, such as personal websites and blogs.

Since March, university online discussion groups have been restricted to students, removing a once popular outlet for Chinese keen to publicise their views on sensitive issues. Student users and site managers must register using their real names.

The biggest Chinese web portals include those operated by Sina Corp. and Sohu.com. Both carry news.

Access to many foreign news websites is routinely blocked.