Government-Run News Media Warn That BBS Operators Will Be Prosecuted for Illegal Content

The Southern Metropolitan Daily reports that on the eve of the May 1 International Labor Day holiday, Guangdong province's Communication Administration Office, Government News Department, and Public Security Office jointly issued a "Notice Regarding Stepping Up Strengthening of Regulation of the Dissemination of Harmful Information on the Internet." According to the report, the Notice confirmed the principle that "business operators shall be held responsible," and must strengthen their self-discipline. The report cited a Communication Administration Office official as saying that a recurring problem has been some Internet forum moderators existing "in name only," and this situation has led to some forums not filtering out the "nine forbidden" types of postings, in particular those inciting demonstrations, and those containing pornographic, fraudulent, and Falun Gong related information. According to the report, the Notice also requires Internet content providers to monitor strictly the identities of those using their services, and limit users to a number that will allow them to be controlled.