China wants only ‘civilized’ news posted on Web

Published 9:00 pm Sunday, September 25, 2005

BEIJING – China said Sunday it is imposing new regulations to control content on its news Web sites and will allow the posting of only “healthy and civilized” news.

The move is part of China’s ongoing efforts to police the country’s Internet population of 100 million.

The new rules take effect immediately.

Sites should only post news on current events and politics, according to the new regulations issued by the Ministry of Information Industry and China’s cabinet, the State Council.

Only “healthy and civilized news and information that is beneficial to the improvement of the quality of the nation, beneficial to its economic development and conducive to social progress” will be allowed, the official Xinhua News Agency said Sunday.