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Post-Quake, China Cuts Access to Entertainment Web Sites
thefickler writes "The Chinese Government has issued orders that all entertainment web sites and regular television programming be shut down completely for the next 3 days. Only web sites covering the recent tragic 7.8 magnitude earthquake and television stations broadcasting CCTV earthquake programming will be allowed to remain live." Can anyone with Web access in China confirm this report? From an AP story on the state of communications in the country right now, it appears at least that China is (despite ongoing monitoring) allowing freer than usual communications in the wake of the quake.
Do you think maybe the government feels they are doing such a great job there's no need to clamp down? From what I've seen, they are doing about as well as anyone could under the circumstances. Maybe they think that this will lead to good enough things being said (with a few bad ones for a "reality check") that they can pretend to be wide open and still come out of this looking good.
How is the Riemann zeta function like Trump rallies? Both have an endless number of trivial zeros.
You got it wrong. It's the cutural differences hat shocked you. In Chinese culture, "mourning" is a serious process that few people would even think of seeking "entertainment". It is to show the deep respect for the dead and the families that are suffering. The government is simply suggesting to stop recreational activities during national days of mourning. Internet is certainly not being cracked down ...
Because people thousands of miles away are really likely to come help if you take away their TV?
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I'm going to do something dangerous, and quote my wife as a well informed person. According to her, right after the quake, the Chinese government banned all reporting in the effected areas. As usual, all the press backed off and went home. Except for two reporters from two papers. These two reporters rapidly reported on the actual situation, and the other newspapers and TV stations saw these competitors getting all the viewers and readers. Nationally, news organizations then defied the government order and reported on the situation openly.
:-)
So... the government is pissed, and is punishing the media organizations by sending them home for a while. I could be wrong, but that's more or less what I heard from my wife, and like in China, it's dangerous around here to disagree with the boss
Beer is proof that God loves us, and wants us to be happy.
Before I launch into opinion, let me first state the facts jack. China's Internet censorship (the great firewall part of golden shield) is regionally based. Similar to the US radio having locality based censorship. In February for example, the university I teach at(Inner Mongolia Uni of Tech/science), could not access wikipedia- but could access flickr. In Beijing, it was the opposite- its locality based and gladder for firefox kills it anyway. That said, I still have full internet. Yesterday the DNS kept crashing out, but internet is rolling along fine and dandy...or as close as we get here at 100kbs on a pppoe. All sites are behaving normally. Now opinion. While I am a firm believer and activist for Freedom of Information, in this case I believe shutting down a bit of commuications may be needed. Many people in China are a bit on edge currently, with the olympics, the protests, the whole t1b3t thing- and the earthquake moved them right to the edge. Rumours are circulating around the country here about radiation dangers, the government not acting, the goverment causing the earthquake like some kind of James Bond Villian...lots of BS. The end result of this is that people are too panicked and nervous to help out with reconstruction or aiding survivors- not good. The limiting of information until the area is secure and survivors helped is very important at this time.
I am in Beijing and HBO and Cinemax channels at my hotel are not available today. CNN is available.
I have not found any websites blocked other than the usual ones.
Agreed. That said, to put the GWOT example in perspective: the number of Chinese dead does not yet exceed the number of Iraqi dead since 2003 and America's war of aggression upon Iraq.
guys don't rush to judgements. Based on the chinese old habit, the son is supposed to live without entertainment for 3 years when the parent passes away.
I do not think anyone obey those rules any more. But tradition is tradition, it is kind of like that when chinese people mourn the dead in this case. I do not find it any strange if you understand the culture.
I'm a Chinese, we are not shutting down the website or TV channel, we are just not entertain for 3 days. If you are a foreigner in China and feel no pain and like to have some fun, you can get it, just we won't participate. This is our way of show our lament for the victims. Feeling sorrow, so we can relief the pain of the people in sichuan, and comfort the dead. As for your guys, just show some respect to this is enough, don't be so bitch!
Yes, Theres 3 days national mourning. All entertainment venues will be closed (I'm not sure about the internet). From 14:28 today there will be 3 minutes silence. It's out of respect for the now 32,000+ dead and nothing else. This is the email I got about it (I'm working in Beijing)
Dear colleagues,
In memory of the casualties in earthquake of Sichuan Province, the State Council has announced an official three-day national mourning. Flags are to be kept at half-mast and all public amusements will be suspended from today to Wednesday for respect of victims of the May 12 earthquake.
All people in China are suggested to take actions jointly to show the condolence to victims in the tragedy.
In specific:
If you are at your desk, or in meeting, please stand in silence for three minutes starting from 14:28 today
If you are walking, please stand still in silence for three minutes starting from 14:28 today
If you are driving, please pull over your car at the same time and horn for three minutes from 14:28 today
Meanwhile, we would highly appreciate your continuous efforts in contributing to the MAC Relief Donation. And every penny we receive will go to those who are still suffering from the great pains of losing their families.
Regards,
Human Resource Department
Well, let's presume your view of "they are trying to exploit this for nation building" is valid (which I don't agree).
Then, by US standards, China is doing just fine. The USA used 911 for nation building, fueled the fear of terrorists, and made Americans approve two invasions, one of which is viewed as a stupid war everywhere around the world.
You saw a bit more free speech in China after the quake. You saw less free speech in USA after 911.
So, what standards are you proposing to hold China to?
Don't quote me on this.