Chinese Blogging Restrictions

Whacked-out commie government is going to “require” blogging service providers to register the bloggers real names, and maybe even those that comment on the blogs too.  Such information includes names and addresses-  presumably so the Chinese gestapo can come around and arrest dissidents as soon as they write anything the government considers “illegal.”

From the AP here:

Blog service providers in China are “encouraged” to register users with their real names and contact information. At least 10 major Chinese blog service providers have agreed to sign the “self-discipline pledge” issued by the Internet Society of China.

The guidelines, issued Tuesday and effective immediately, “encouraged” real-name registration of users.  The information — to be filed with the companies, not posted online — should include the user’s name, address, contact numbers and e-mail address, it said.

Measures listed in the document were guidelines only and blog service providers were not required to comply.  It was not clear whether the guideline calling for real-name registration covered bloggers only or whether it extended to people who post comments.

Service providers were still responsible for the content of the blogs. Chinese leaders often try to block online material deemed pornographic or a threat to communist rule.

“Blog service providers who allow the use of pseudonyms may be more attractive to bloggers, but they will be punished by the government if they fail to screen illegal information,” Huang was quoted as saying.

Other measures called for in the pledge include not spreading pornography and not speaking ill of other nationalities, races, religions and cultural customs. Bloggers also should not spread rumors or libelous information, it said.

“Blog providers should monitor and manage comments … and delete illegal and bad information in a timely manner,” the document said.

Speaking ill of nationalities, races and religions?  I guess I would be public enemy number 1 in China.