Number: RL33167
Title: Internet Development and Information Control in the People's Republic of China
Authors: Thomas Lum, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: The government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) places strict limitations on its domestic and foreign news media. Information that is considered "politically sensitive" or that conveys organized dissent and criticism of the Communist Party is not tolerated. As a result, objective reporting on subjects such as China's human rights record, Tibetan independence, Falun Gong, Taiwan, or the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, among other politically sensitive topics, are largely absent in China. Journalists have allegedly been harassed, sometimes with violence, and jailed for reporting content that is undesirable or that implicate government officials in corruption. In addition to reporting that is critical of the government, PRC leadership actively suppresses coverage of events that it considers a threat to social stability. State coverups of the early spread of HIV/AIDS, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in April 2003, and fatal industrial disasters are notable examples of issues that have been censored in the Chinese media.
Pages: 13
Date: February 10, 2006