Beijing
China this week effectively outlawed bad news on the Internet. The Ministry of Information ruled that all Web sites—including newspaper sites and blogs—must “serve socialism” and promote the “correct guidance of public opinion.” Henceforth, the government said, only “healthy and civilized news and information that is beneficial to the improvement of the nation” will be accessible on the Internet. Web sites that post offending information will be blocked. International media watchdogs expressed outrage, but China shrugged off the criticism. “Media in any country have to observe laws and regulations,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang. “There’s no need to make a fuss about it.” China has more than 100 million Internet users, more than any country but the U.S.
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