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IFLA/FAIFEIFLA condemns new Chinese Internet regulations and Western computer companies' participation in the crackdown on intellectual freedom
Press release Further to the media release dated July 13, 2005, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Committee on Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (IFLA/FAIFE) condemns the latest actions of the Government of the People's Republic of China to limit freedom of access to information and freedom of expression on the Internet. The Chair of the IFLA/FAIFE Committee Professor Paul Sturges says:
Updated Internet regulations cause concernFurther to the implementation of new government regulations, it has been reported that China's 'e-police' are now actively involved in policing online discussions and pre-empting political actions through active intervention in chat rooms. The continuing restrictions imposed by the Government of the People's Republic of China detract from the potential of Internet technology, and restrict China's online population to a quasi Internet that effectively only disseminates information acceptable to the Government. Monitoring and control of the circulation of information online undermines the ideal of freedom of access to information and freedom of expression espoused in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Access to information, knowledge and lifelong learning is central to democratic development and active participation and influence in society as well as sustained economic development for the benefit of all sectors of society. A variety of opinions and experiences are vital to healthy public discourse, and therefore limiting the online voices heard in China inhibits citizens' active participation in important global and internal discussions.Complicity of Western companiesIFLA calls attention to the active participation of Western computer companies in the Chinese government's actions, most notably the recent actions by Yahoo who provided information that allegedly led to the jailing of journalist Shi Tao for ten years. We ask that companies providing assistance to the government consider the effects of their actions on freedom of expression in the country. The attractions of the Chinese market must not overshadow the rights of Chinese citizens to form and disseminate their own opinions without fear of reprisal.
Background Information:The new "Rules on the Administration of Internet News Information Services" issued by the Ministry of Information Industry and the State Council and reported by Xinhua, the official news agency, update all existing Internet rules. They impose restrictions on the reporting of politics, the economy, the military and foreign affairs, and are aimed at local Chinese journalists instead of the foreign press. Web sites are banned from reporting information that endangers "national security" and "national interest". Blogs and personal web pages, which already have to be registered with the government, have to "be directed towards serving the people and socialism and insist on correct guidance of public opinion for maintaining national and public interests'. Two new regulations prevent the encouragement of "illegal gatherings" such as strikes, and the organisation of activities under "illegal social associations or organisations". The overall aim is to ensure the disappearance of "unhealthy news stories that will easily mislead the public". In addition to this, Newsweek reports that China's e-Police are using the Internet themselves to shape political discourse. The government is hiring "Internet commentator teams" to pose as chat room users and advocate the government line in discussions that potentially might lead to unrest.
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