China Clamps Down on Web News Discussion

China has cracked down on the internet once again. This time, the government has targeted news discussion groups, which often feature independent reporting not approved by the government. While it is common for Beijing to quiet dissenting voices before an upcoming National People's Congress (one is scheduled for next week), some see this latest crackdown as particularly heavy-handed. In one example of 'problem' discussions on the internet, Chinese news groups recently heated up over a case in Heilongjiang province where a woman purposely drove into a crowd, killing one and injuring 12. The woman's apparent political connections allowed her to receive a light sentence, leading to a wave of online criticism and pressure on the provincial governor. News editors may now only publish material from the state-run newspapers, and online postings are only permitted with prior approval. A number of analysts have noted the popularity of online news sites that provide more detailed and substantive coverage than state-run agencies. Not only is this recent development a blow for free speech, say some critics, but also one for government accountability. – YaleGlobal