News Munchies
Chinese Netizens Search for Google
Originally Posted
Updated
Google, the leading Internet search engine, has been blocked from servers in China.
China's 45 million Netizens have preferred Google, because it is simple to use and has strong capabilities for Chinese-language searches. The Chinese government, on the other hand, believes the Internet threatens Communist Party control of the media.
No kidding.
China often tightens control of information in advance of events of political sensitivity, and the Communist Party congress is scheduled for November. Need we say more?
The government frequently blocks foreign news sites and blacklists "unwholesome" content -- usually pertaining to human rights -- from domestic sites. Authorities monitor chat rooms and email, and censor content they decide is undesirable.
It appears to be the first time the government has blocked access to an Internet search engine. The government has more control over the leading Chinese portals, Sina.com and Sohu.com. But Google does not have operations in China.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman told the BBC, "Obviously there is some harmful information on the Internet. Not everyone should have access to this. The whole world now is exploring a way to manage the Internet and China is also working on this."
Yahoo searches are still available. The bureaucracy apparently isn't aware that Yahoo uses Google for searches.
Unless they read CornerBarPR.comSM.