China restricts online video usage
HONG KONG (AP) - January 3, 2008 It wasn't immediately clear how the new rules would affect
YouTube and other providers of Internet video that host Web sites
available in China but are based in other countries.
The new regulations, which take effect Jan. 31, were approved by
both the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the
Ministry of Information Industry and were described on their Web
sites Thursday.
Under the new policy, Web sites 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 Web site, 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 from The Associated Press seeking comment.
Tudou.com, which claims to be China's largest video sharing Web
site, also didn't immediately respond to an e-mail requesting
comment.
The effect of Chinese laws on American Internet companies
operating in the country recently came under the spotlight as two
Chinese journalists were jailed after Yahoo Inc. provided Chinese
authorities with information about their online activities. Both
journalists are serving 10-year prison sentences.
In November, Yahoo settled a lawsuit, agreeing to pay the
attorneys' fees of the journalists. Yahoo also said it would
"provide financial, humanitarian and legal support to these
families." No other details of the settlement were disclosed.