China cracks down on microblogging rumours that are 'worse than cocaine'

China cracks down on microblogging rumours that are 'worse than coc aine'

m.guardian.co.uk

Online rumours are drugs that damage users and harm society, the Chinese state media have claimed, as officials step up attempts to rein in the country's hugely popular microblogs.

One commentary, published by the official Xinhua news agency, warns that while heroin and coc aine damage health, internet rumours are worse because they "poison the social environment and affect social order".

(visit the link for the full news article)

There are over 300 million registered microbloggers in China: a pool as large as the entire population of the US. Despite this massive number, the Chinese government is continuing its policy of heavily policing all electronic information within its borders, using filters and other means.

It is telling to me that they use the metaphor of narcotics to describe how they feel the free flow of information is damaging to them. Especially given their Opium War history. Perhaps they see information, like opium, as a nefarious means of weakening China and opening it up to foreign influence.

Part of the struggle is ideological, part is based on people in power defending their turf. Can China continue to resist the flood of information that comes with technological progress? What happens if they fail? And what happens if they don't?

m.guardian.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

reply to post by silent thunder

.... while heroin and coc aine damage health, internet rumours are worse because they "poison the social environment and affect social order".

That's EXACTLY what I was going to say about advertising and corporate-run Western media!!!





S&F btw.

I'm sure America feels the same way. They just can't come out and overtly say they will be censoring the internet. They have to do it in a way that they can justify to the 'chattering classes.'

I have to agree that rumors are very damaging to the entire world. Lies/rumors can destroy entire countries, and peoples lives. I've seen it happen many times.

I really do believe it could be more damaging than drugs. Anyone can make a rumor/lie, and anyone can believe a rumor/lie, for free. If it's in the right place at the right time you can even make the rumor/lie appear true which can be even more damaging.

I don't agree with censorship. However, I do wish society wasn't so quick to believe things without proof, and the truth prevailed above rumors and lies. I wish people could somehow stop rumors and lies, but I know that is just a dream because there is too many wicked people in this world.

Well, they understand how the process of subversion works so they will crush it with an iron first. Look up Yuri Bezmenov's videos. Even Russia understands it.

Would not like to be busted in China for micro blogging-I mean the hang you for coc aine over there,what would they do to someone they deem to be worse than a drug dealer?
Kill your whole family maybe?

Originally posted by Silcone Synapse
...what would they do to someone they deem to be worse than a drug dealer?
Kill your whole family maybe?

There is nothing they won't do - they have been brainwashed by a brutal system. Never underestimate the depravity that the communist/socialist is capable of when he thinks his 'cause' is threatened.