Chinese Government's Control of Internet Stiffens

China Free Press reports that the Chinese government has stiffened its already overwhelming control and censorship of the Internet.

In a little more than 250 words, an edict issued by the authorities has eliminated any remaining doubts about whether the Beijing regime was going to fulfill its promise to the International Olympic Committee that it would improve its human rights record in exchange for organizing the Games.

Bad behavior has indeed been rewarded in a most Olympic way. Here is the edict, entitled "Urgent Notice," in all its gory details:

To ensure the smooth operation of the Internet during the Beijing Olympics, higher authorities have ordered that websites be monitored according to the following criteria:

1. Carefully check website content, update website keyword filter, filter all content, monitor websites according to but not limited by the following criteria, or DNS.COM.CN will shut down the website without prior notice:

a. any pornographic content
b. gambling, lottery activity, etc.
c. prohibited goods (firearms, spam machines, explosives, hallucinogens, invoices, etc.)
d. violate the country's peaceful unification policy, oppose the government, etc.)
e. all other activity forbidden by the country's laws and regulations

To the websites that violate the above strictures and are closed, we will not be lenient. For mistaken decisions, please accord with the agreement on filtering keywords and fax it to DNS.COM.CN service department (service department fax: 4006830000-5757), and a service person will investigate and resolve the problem.

2. From July 16-September 20 2008, if junk mail is sent and complained about, the offending website will be shut down without prior notice.

To protect your ability to operate, we strongly recommend that you strictly monitor your website's content and remove any illegal content; if you have discussion forums, we recommend you shut down those forums, if not shut down, we advise that you remove anonymous content and implement 24 hour monitoring of your site so as to remove illegal content immediately.

We hope that everyone cooperates and carefully monitors their own site, remove all illegal content and let's all make sure the Beijing Olympics are successful.