China issues more website rules

CHINA'S internet friendly government has just released tough new rules on the content of news websites.

According to a communiqué from the ironically named Ministry of Information Industry, China's cabinet, will "standardise the management of news and information" in the country.

No one is sure what these standardisations are, but seemingly sites will only be able to post news on current events and politics.

The statement said that 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.

Internet News sites had rules which were issued in 2000, but were obsolete. Goodness knows where that leaves the INQ's Chinese readers.

More in the Sydney Morning Herald, here. µ