China puts limits on internet video
Last Updated: Thursday, January 3, 2008 | 9:05 AM ET
The Associated Press
China has decided to restrict the broadcasting of internet videos — including those posted on video-sharing websites — to sites run by state-controlled companies and will require providers to report questionable content to the government.
It wasn't immediately clear how the new rules would affect YouTube and other providers of internet video that host websites available in China but are based in other countries.
The new regulations, which take effect Jan. 31, were approved by both China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the Ministry of Information Industry, and were described on their websites Thursday.
Under the new policy, websites that provide video programming or allow users to upload video must obtain government permits and applicants must be either state-owned or state-controlled companies.
The majority of internet video providers in China are private, according to an explanation of the regulations posted on Chinafilm.com, which is run by the state-run China Film Group.
The policy will ban providers from broadcasting video that involves national secrets, hurts the reputation of China, disrupts social stability or promotes pornography. Providers will be required to delete and report such content.
"Those who provide internet video services should insist on serving the people, serve socialism … and abide by the moral code of socialism," the rules say.
The permits are subject to renewal every three years and operators who commit "major" violations may be banned from providing online video programming for five years.
The status of sites such as YouTube, a popular video-sharing site, remains in question.
San Bruno, Calif.-based YouTube is available in China and runs a Chinese-language website, but it wasn't immediately clear if any of its computer servers are located in China.
YouTube LLC, a subsidiary of Google Inc., didn't immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.
Tudou.com, which claims to be China's largest video sharing website, also didn't immediately respond to an e-mail requesting comment.
Share Tools
Top News Headlines
- Online surveillance critics accused of supporting child porn
- A bill giving law enforcement new powers to access Canadians' electronic communications is expected to be introduced today, and Canada's public safety minister says the bill's critics are aligning themselves with child pornographers. more »
- Raitt offers new mediator in Air Canada dispute
- Federal Labour Minister Lisa Raitt is again intervening in a labour dispute at Air Canada, initiating a six-month mediation process after telling pilots and the company that any work stoppage would be contrary to the interests of Canadians. more »
- Whitney Houston's body now at N.J. funeral home
- Whitney Houston's body has been flown from Los Angeles to New Jersey, where her family is making arrangements for a funeral at the end of the week. more »
- What to get your special someone on Valentine's Day
- For those looking for a last-minute Valentine's Day gift, here are some ideas — from the traditional to the outlandish. more »
- 12 Flag Day stories of patriotism
- Ahead of tomorrow's Flag Day celebrations, our readers shared some of their proudest Canadian moments. Here are some of the best. more »
Latest World News Headlines
- Whitney Houston's body now at N.J. funeral home
- Whitney Houston's body has been flown from Los Angeles to New Jersey, where her family is making arrangements for a funeral at the end of the week. more »
- U.S. gets 1st hard look at future China leader
- Washington gets its first hard look Tuesday at Xi Jinping, the man destined to lead China in the coming decade, during which the global powers probably will see their economic ties grow. more »
- Moody's downgrades Italy, Portugal, Spain
- Ratings agency Moody's Investor Service on Monday downgraded its credit ratings on Italy, Portugal and Spain, while France, Britain and Austria kept their top ratings but had their outlooks dropped to "negative" from "stable." more »
- Greek economy shrinks 7% in fourth quarter
- The Greek economy remained stuck in a deep recession in the fourth quarter, according to official figures released Tuesday that confirm the painful effects of austerity reforms intended to lower debt. more »
Dispatches »
- Syrian refugees' defiance and division Feb. 13, 2012 4:06 PM With the deadly game in Syria changing almost daily, CBC's Derek Stoffel in Turkey met militant refugees who reflect the division in the rebel forces about whether to go it alone or wait for the international community to back them against the current regime.
Connect Newsroom Blog
Siege in Syria, Ship Rescue & The Pickton Inquiry Feb. 13, 2012 8:09 PM We'll talk to a Syrian-American doctor tonight about whether the Assad regime is using medicine as a weapon.
- Online surveillance critics accused of supporting child porn
- HMCS Corner Brook collision damage extensive
- Whitney Houston's body now at N.J. funeral home
- Mandatory gun sentence struck down by Ontario judge
- Stanley Cup rioter seen in brick attack on cop
- Mooning Queen proves costly for Australian man
- Whitney Houston estate value set to soar
- Man pleads guilty to murder of stepdaughter, 17
- Teen's Facebook post prompts dad to shoot computer
