A discussion of contemporary issues in media ethics, with olives and a twist. Made with only the freshest ingredients, shaken, stirred and poured over ice. I should also mention that I do like the odd, occasional martini. Bombay Sapphire gin and Lillet, dry and plenty of salty olives. Welcome to this cocktail of journalism and alcohol. A fine combination!

Friday, 4 January 2008

China's net video crackdown could hurt YouTube - web - Technology - smh.com.au

China's net video crackdown could hurt YouTube - web - Technology - smh.com.au

This piece from the Sydney Morning Herald today continues to mark the declining standard of human rights and free speech in China.

YouTube and other video-sharing websites are the latest to come under direct censorship. I particularly like this:

Video that involves national secrets, hurts the reputation of China, disrupts social stability or promotes pornography will be banned. Providers must 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.

What is a "moral code of socialism"? From my understanding a moral code of socialism would allow the greatest expression of human rights, including sexual freedoms; the right to free speech and criticism and freedom of assembly and distribution of political materials.

Of course there's also capitalist morals, such as these demonstrated by a sycophantic YouTube spokestroll. The company's interest in China is to continue to keep Google and YouTube profitable:

YouTube hopes the rules won't cut it off from the rapidly growing number of Chinese residents with internet access, spokesman Ricardo Reyes said.

"We believe that the Chinese government fully recognizes the enormous value of online video and will not enforce the regulations in a way that could deprive the Chinese people of its benefits and potential for business and economic development, education and culture, communication, and entertainment," Reyes said.

If you want to know what Korea's Dear Leader, Kim Jong Il, thinks of socialist morals you can read this disturbing screed.



2 comments:

Fibo said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR :)

Dr Mark Hayes said...

Thanks for the Link to Dear Leader's comments on socialist morals. Since the demise of the Great Helmsman, Enver Hoxa, founder of modern Albania, etc and so forth, I've been missing such masterly, inspiring, statements on the great world historical socialist struggle of the world's working class. Please post some more before I get my tongue out of both cheeks and subdue my gag reflex... :)