03 Aug 11 | Digital Freedom, Index Index, minipost
New regulations have been enforced in an area of central Beijing requiring bars, restaurants, hotels and bookstores to install web monitoring software. The software costs businesses around 20,000 RMB (£1,900) and provides public security officials the identities of those logging on to the wireless service of a restaurant, cafe or private school, while monitoring their online activity. Those who ignore the regulation face a fine of a similar sum and the possible revocation of their business license. It remains unclear how strictly the measures will be enforced, or whether they will extend beyond the Dongcheng district of Beijing.
29 Jul 11 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
Translated screenshots from journalist Lu Chaoguo’s Tencent microblog account reveal his detention and mistreatment by police after reporting on recent riots in Anshun, Guizhou province. The riots were sparked by a “city management” official beating to death a handicapped fruit seller.
29 Jul 11 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
The potent reaction from both Chinese netizens and mainstream media in response to Sunday’s deadly train crash in Wenzhou has shown how the state’s propaganda machine is being increasingly challenged. The majority of Chinese media (including state-owned organs) this week ignored directives issued by the Central Propaganda Ministry not to report on the causes of the crash. Meanwhile, netizens’ use of social media, both to chronicle the disaster and to express their fury at the government’s handling of the situation, has led outspoken paper Southern Metropolis Daily to claim “no one, not even someone with the lowest IQ, would choose to challenge the public at this particular point in time.”
18 Jul 11 | Index Index, minipost
Three nuns have each been jailed for three year after they staged a peaceful street protest, chanting “Free Tibet” and “long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama”, on 15 June. The women, aged between 21 and 31, are part of the Gyemadrak Nunnery in Tibet and were arrested by Chinese authorites hours after the protest began. The nuns have been named as Jampa Choedon, Sheh Lhamo and Tashi Choetso.
