China shuts down 47,000 'harmful' internet cafes

The Scotsman ^ | 3/3/05

[Crackingham]

China has closed 47,000 internet cafes in a campaign aimed at creating a more "wholesome environment" for children.

The country’s leaders encourage internet use for business and education, but have expressed growing concern that it gives children access to violent or sexually explicit material, and have tried to block online criticism of their Communist rule.

The cafes closed in the crackdown had been "admitting minors and engaged in dissemination of harmful cultural information", the Communist Party newspaper People’s Daily said on its website.

About 21,000 of the closed cafes might be allowed to reopen after making unspecified changes. It said the business licences of 2131 were revoked.

China has the world’s second-largest number of internet users after the United States, with 87 million people online.

The government said in October that it had detained 445 people for operating websites deemed pornographic, and fined internet cafe operators a total of 100 million yuan (£6.2 million) for letting children play violent games.

[srm913]

You are correct. When I lived in China, little 14-year-olds constantly bragged about how easy it was to access hard porn. It's not about the morals at all.

[twigs]

If China cared about its children, then it wouldn't force abortions and allow the situation which is shaping up where there are too many men and not enough women.

[CT CONSERVATIVE]

Better short porn and gambling stocks pronto!

[RasterMaster]

If the Red commies were concerned about children accessing "porn" they would have installed filters by now. All about mind control...nothing more.

[BroncosFan]

The hidden aspect of this story is how US companies like Google and Yahoo are falling all over themselves to comply with Beijing's restrictions, even to the point of inventing new filters aimed at such nasty, subversive sites like those discussing meditation and old ladies stretching in public parks.

[Cold Heat]

"admitting minors and engaged in dissemination of harmful cultural information", the Communist Party newspaper People’s Daily said on its website.

I think we know what is going on here.....

China has a problem, and it is not going to get better. They will just move it underground. People will be free.

[iopscusa]

Another insight into the ChiComs control problems, the Big Domino may be tilting.

[batter]

It is sad how many companies have kissed the CCP's butts on the issue. Take a look at jriemer's post (28) - they nailed it when it comes for the real reason the party fears a free internet.

[Fitzcarraldo]

I'm all for a wholesome environment./sarcasm

[CatoRenasci]

Sorry. I disagree and think you are failing to make distinctions necessary to clarify the issues.

Child porn is illegal because it can only be made using children, with whom sexual activity is illegal because the children are deemed unable to meaningfully consent.

(I'm not defending any pornography morally, and am all for boycotting and other non-state ways of dealing with pornographers).

As for your second point, pushing illegal material at children, that is covered under the ruberic of "time, place, and manner" restrictions, which I support.

There is no need to raise your children in a closet without actual state censorship.

[TChris]

China: Continuing to work feverishly to close the Pandora's Box of truth and liberty.

[AppyPappy]

The State censors child porn. You seem to support that therefore you support at least some forms of censorship.

[Publius Scipio]

methinks it's just a matter of time before this very, very large house of cards comes (peacefully) crashing down.

Peacefully? Maybe. Probably not, though. China is noted for catacylsmic civil wars. Mao's Cultural Revolution, the Taiping Rebellion etc.

[Vaquero]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1355027/posts

"bingo, bango, sugar in the gas tank!!!!!" pal-ie

[Paved Paradise]

It's okay to kill the children over there, just not expose them to porn.

[dog breath]

You are correct it is all about control. They want to keep their people thinking that they are living in a modern country. The Internet gives them access to people who would open their eyes to the still brutal repressiveness of their government.

[Smogger]

At least they have half-good intentions with regard to censorship.

And we all know what the road to Hell is paved with, right?

[Tulsa Ramjet]

Guys and gals, this isn't about porn in China. A government that punishes religious organizations doesn't care about morality. Its about control. And Americans continue to overwhelmingly buy Chinese products, whereby the profits from these products go to further this government's wretchedness and strengthen their military state. We close our eyes while American Companies continue to establish and expand our manufacturing to this organism of tyrannical control. I don't have a problem with trade with democratic nations. But when will the blind-eye end? Our trade deficit with them is mind-blowing and it continues to grow exponentially. check it out yourself.
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5700.html

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

At least they have half-good intentions with regard to censorship.

Hey gullible Just called, it wants its statement back

[Hank Rearden]

The U.S. Government may not have a perfect track record, but they've never shut down 47,000 websites or censored access as do the Imperial Masters of Beijing.

Hey, give Bush's CFR a chance - they're just getting warmed up!

It doesn't matter where they are; all Big Stupid Government politicians, worldwide, want to suppress free speech and easy communications among people who care about liberty. Bush's assault on the First Amendment is more proof of that.