FC: Malaysia, China move toward more Internet restrictions

From: Declan McCullagh (declanat_private)
Date: Mon May 14 2001 - 06:44:35 PDT

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    Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 19:20:46 +0800
    From: John Tanner <tannerat_private>
    To: declanat_private
    Subject: Helpless governments battle slander on the Net!
    
    Hi Declan,
    
    Keeping Politech abreast of the latest Internet censorship news from
    this part of the world.
    
    Item 1: The Malaysian government is considering forming a Press Council
    to fulfill a need for "greater accountability and transparency" in
    reporting -- which seems to mean being able to nail publications that
    endanger national security by slandering the government. Judging from
    the quote below (from a story published in local daily The Star but
    by-lined by Bernama, the official state news agency), the council seems
    specifically geared at Internet publications:
    
    "It is an imperfect situation when only the print media is governed by
    laws while those who indulged in sedition, the misuse of religion or
    other criminal offences through cyberspace go scot free," Dr Rais
    [Yatim, a minister in the prime minister's department] said.
    
    http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2001/5/13/nation/1310ihni&newspage=Search
    
    ++++++++++
    
    Item 2: Chinese dissident Wang Jinbo has been arrested for "defaming"
    police on the Internet, according to a report from AFP:
    
    http://english.hk.dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/technology/afp/article.html?s=hke/headlines/010512/technology/afp/Chinese_dissident_arrested_for_defaming_police_online.html
    
    Regards,
    
    John Tanner
    Global Technology Editor
    Telecom Asia/Wireless Asia
    Advanstar Telecoms Group
    Tel: +852 2589 1328
    Fax: +852 2559 7002
    Email: tannerat_private
    URL: www.telecomasia.net
    
    
    
    
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