From The LA Times:
In a random sampling of Internet comments shortly after the regulations were released Sunday, a few Chinese supported the government’s stance as a way to stem “foreign rumors.” But the vast majority slammed the new rules with sarcasm and wit, accusing the government of turning back the clock, undercutting the media’s watchdog role and keeping its own people in the dark.
“Why not follow North Korea and begin a carpet ban on all information, and institute revolutionary education like in Mao’s years?” said a posting by “Julien” on the popular Cat898 forum, one of several hundred Web comments on the issue that appeared early this week before the government halted further discussion. “Then I bet everyone would become a loyal citizen, convinced they were living in a harmonious paradise, with Stockholm syndrome.”
The plethora of media-related edicts released by Beijing in the last 18 months reflects government frustration over the growing confidence of China’s 100 million Internet users and their more global mind-set, analysts say. The latest salvo by officials, announced Wednesday, imposes strict controls on information released by the Chinese judicial system.”Control is well beyond the power of any government. Neither America nor China can control” the Internet, said Li Xiguang, dean of the journalism school at Qinghua University and co-author of a 1996 book arguing that foreign media demonize China. [Full Text]
