07 November 2011 | Author: L Boyd Media Intern
According to Reuters, state news agency Xinhua has reported technology company big wigs in China have agreed to work together to intensify controls on social media and halt the perceived "spread of harmful information" on the internet.
Ten of the country's top executives, including Sina Corp's Charles Chao, Baidu's Robin Li and Alibaba's Jack Ma, took part in a three-day discussion held in Beijing and hosted by one of the country's Internet regulators, the State Internet Information Office.
The summit was held to discuss ways in which tech companies could work together to curb online gossip and rumours, pornography, fraud and other information which might be deemed harmful to the state - or in other words information deemed unacceptable to the ruling party.
The companies which agreed to the crackdown plan to "strengthen self-control, self-restraint and strict self-discipline," Xinhua news website said, according to The Register.
Online social media has been a major concern for China's internet companies and operators, who after three days of talks reached an agreement to increase investment in "tracking surveillance" and to "conscientiously safeguard the broadcasting of positive messages online," Reuters reported.
Microblogs are causing Beijing authorities particular cause for concern and are growing in popularity in China.
According to Reuters, Beijing is also nervous about the influence of microblogs - called "weibo" in Chinese- and how they can potentially negatively affect censorship regulations in China.
Chinese officials have repeatedly criticised the role microblogs play in disseminating what they call "unfounded rumours."
Even so, analysts predict it's unlikely the government will shut down the blogs altogether, as they provide an important gauge for monitoring and easing social pressures.
Chinese internet leaders vow to 'intensify control' of social media
According to Reuters, state news agency Xinhua has reported technology company big wigs in China have agreed to work together to intensify controls on social media and halt the perceived "spread of harmful information" on the internet.Ten of the country's top executives, including Sina Corp's Charles Chao, Baidu's Robin Li and Alibaba's Jack Ma, took part in a three-day discussion held in Beijing and hosted by one of the country's Internet regulators, the State Internet Information Office.
The summit was held to discuss ways in which tech companies could work together to curb online gossip and rumours, pornography, fraud and other information which might be deemed harmful to the state - or in other words information deemed unacceptable to the ruling party.
The companies which agreed to the crackdown plan to "strengthen self-control, self-restraint and strict self-discipline," Xinhua news website said, according to The Register.
Online social media has been a major concern for China's internet companies and operators, who after three days of talks reached an agreement to increase investment in "tracking surveillance" and to "conscientiously safeguard the broadcasting of positive messages online," Reuters reported.
Microblogs are causing Beijing authorities particular cause for concern and are growing in popularity in China.
According to Reuters, Beijing is also nervous about the influence of microblogs - called "weibo" in Chinese- and how they can potentially negatively affect censorship regulations in China.
Chinese officials have repeatedly criticised the role microblogs play in disseminating what they call "unfounded rumours."
Even so, analysts predict it's unlikely the government will shut down the blogs altogether, as they provide an important gauge for monitoring and easing social pressures.
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