China to censor digital video
p2pnet.net News:- In a new censorship move, China has “stipulated a set of rules on broadcasting DV (digital video) productions via TV stations, cinemas, film festivals or exhibitions, and the Internet, in a bid to step up regulation of their content”.
The clamp-down is being imposed, “in a bid to step up regulation of their content, according to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT),” says the People’s Daily Online here.
Under the new rules, people running web sites will have to get special licenses “for releasing audiovisual programs before broadcasting DV productions”.
On June 1, China’s Ministry of Culture imposed a censorship program against online games with, “content threatening state security“.
In March, the country launched an attack on an online shoot-em-up featuring an ex-SAS mercenary saying it, “smears China’s national image” and now games, “damaging the nation’s glory, disturbing social order and infringing on other’s legitimate rights” are to be prohibited.
It has also closed down 16,000 Internet cafes since March this year.
Reality-style TV
Amateur filmmakers use mini-cams as a popular tool for reality-style television serials and news dramas employing spy lenses, says a Reuters story here, going on, “But movies zooming in on peasant hardships, worker protests and avant-garde art stunts have made the hand-held cameras a dangerous technology in the eyes of Communist Party ideologues.”
“Their content is mostly wholesome,” says the SARFT circular, according to the People’s Daily, but “a small portion of DV productions are obscure and negative in theme and content, with some of them sent overseas for exhibition” and “That has caused a bad effect.”
Now all digital video productions, “must be approved before being broadcast on TV stations, in cinemas, and on the Internet, according to relevant national regulations on radio,TV, and film management,” says the story.
“Those violating relevant regulations or lacking taste and having incorrect themes are forbidden to be broadcast and spread.
“Those concerning religion, nationality, and sensitive subjectsmust seek advice and get approval from the local government departments concerned before being broadcast.
“Those productions whose content is questionable or may cause negative effect on society are forbidden to be broadcast.”
June 7th, 2004 at 10:38 pm
Chinese people need to start using Freenet.
June 10th, 2004 at 7:21 pm
There will always be censorship. Even here in Canada we have censorship. It is neither good or bad but how and when you use it. I believe that China has come a long way now from the days before. I think that the Chinese Goverment is just affraid to let its people think for themselves.