Media release 25th October 2005

Further to the media release dated July 13, 2005, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Committee on Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (IFLA/FAIFE) condemns the latest actions of the Government of the People's Republic of China to limit freedom of access to information and freedom of expression on the Internet.

The Chair of the IFLA/FAIFE Committee Professor Paul Sturges says, the continuing moves by the Chinese government to control online information flow are an extremely worrying development that once again leaves Chinese Internet users unable freely to seek information from a full range of sources online in the interest of forming a balanced view. Updated regulations introduced on the 25th September 2005 have the potential to further stifle discussion in an online environment already under pressure from extensive government intervention. The Chinese government is proving itself to be resolutely committed to restricting its citizens' human rights in the online public sphere.

Updated Internet regulations cause concern

Further to the implementation of new government regulations, it has been reported that China's 'e-police' are now actively involved in policing online discussions and pre-empting political actions through active intervention in chat rooms.

The continuing restrictions imposed by the Government of the People's Republic of China detract from the potential of Internet technology, and restrict China's online population to a quasi Internet that effectively only disseminates information acceptable to the Government. Monitoring and control of the circulation of information online undermines the ideal of freedom of access to information and freedom of expression espoused in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Access to information, knowledge and lifelong learning is central to democratic development and active participation and influence in society as well as sustained economic development for the benefit of all sectors of society. A variety of opinions and experiences are vital to healthy public discourse, and therefore limiting the online voices heard in China inhibits citizens' active participation in important global and internal discussions.

Complicity of Western companies

IFLA calls attention to the active participation of Western computer companies in the Chinese government's actions, most notably the recent actions by Yahoo who provided information that allegedly led to the jailing of journalist Shi Tao for ten years. We ask that companies providing assistance to the government consider the effects of their actions on freedom of expression in the country. The attractions of the Chinese market must not overshadow the rights of Chinese citizens to form and disseminate their own opinions without fear of reprisal.

IFLA urges:

* The Government of the People's Republic of China to reconsider its attitudes towards the country's Internet users and to permit unhampered access to online information sources
* Companies providing information technologies and information services in China to maintain the principles of freedom of access to information

- END -

Contacts:
? Chair of the IFLA/FAIFE Committee, Professor Paul Sturges Loughborough University, the UK, email: R.P.Sturges@lboro.ac.uk
? Director of the IFLA/FAIFE Office, Susanne Seidelin, email: susanne.seidelin@ifla.org or sus@db.dk

Background Information:

The new "Rules on the Administration of Internet News Information Services" issued by the Ministry of Information Industry and the State Council and reported by Xinhua, the official news agency, update all existing Internet rules. They impose restrictions on the reporting of politics, the economy, the military and foreign affairs, and are aimed at local Chinese journalists instead of the foreign press. Web sites are banned from reporting information that endangers 'national security' and 'national interest'. Blogs and personal web pages, which already have to be registered with the government, have to "be directed towards serving the people and socialism and insist on correct guidance of public opinion for maintaining national and public interests'. Two new regulations prevent the encouragement of 'illegal gatherings' such as strikes, and the organisation of activities under 'illegal social associations or organisations'. The overall aim is to ensure the disappearance of "unhealthy news stories that will easily mislead the public".

In addition to this, Newsweek reports that China's e-Police are using the Internet themselves to shape political discourse. The government is hiring "Internet commentator teams" to pose as chat room users and advocate the government line in discussions that potentially might lead to unrest.

Athens News: International News Report - China takes aim at its bloggers
http://www.athensnews.com/issue/article.php3?story_id=21758

The Guardian: China's leaders launch smokeless war against Internet and media Dissent:
http://technology.guardian.co.uk/online/news/0,12597,1578732,00.html

Human Rights Watch: New regulations a major step backward http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/09/28/china11798.htm

IFEX Comminiqu¨¦ VOL 14 NO 41, 11 October 2005
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/63550

IFEX: Yahoo assailed over jailing of journalist
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/69207/

IFLA calls on the Chinese government to end censorship of Internet access and allow freedom of expression online:
http://www.ifla.org/faife/news/2005/China-Pr-13072005.htm

Newsweek International: Big Brother is talking
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9630976/site/newsweek

Reporters Sans Frontiers: The 11 commandments of the Internet in China
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=14010

TIME Asia Magazine: China's Web Watchers
http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/article/0,13673,501051010-1112920,00. html?cnn=yes

Xinhua: China tightens supervision over online news services
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-09/26/content_3544488.htm

Further Background Sources:

Amnesty International: People's Republic of China - Controls tighten
as Internet activism grows:
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA170012004?open&of=ENG-315

Amnesty International: 2005 Report
http://web.amnesty.org/report2005/chn-summary-eng

Human Rights Watch: 2004 Overview of human rights:
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/01/13/china9809.htm

Open Net Initiative: Internet filtering in China in 2004-2005
http://www.opennetinitiative.net/studies/china/

IFEX: China tightens grip on the Internet
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/67344/

IFEX: International Press Institute concerned over EU's failure to criticise China for its gross violations of press freedom and freedom of expression
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/67443/

The Register: Microsoft deletes 'freedom' and 'democracy' in China
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/06/13/ms_ban_freedom/

The Register: Campaigners quiz Google on China play
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/05/19/rsf_google_china/

Reporters Without Borders: Authorities declare war on unregistered blogs and websites
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=14010

Reporters Without Borders: Microsoft censors its blog tool
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=14069

Reporters Without Borders: Reporters Without Borders challenges 14 major Internet and computer firms about their activity in China
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=8668

IFLA and IFLA/FAIFE

IFLA (The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions http://www.ifla.org), founded in 1927, is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession.

IFLA is an independent, international, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. Our aims are to promote high standards of provision and delivery of library and information services, encourage widespread understanding of the value of good library & information services, and represent the interests of our members throughout the world

In pursuing these aims IFLA embraces the following core values:

? We believe that people, communities and organizations need for their physical, mental, democratic and economic well-being, free access to information, ideas and works of imagination
? We believe that the provision and delivery of high quality library and information services help guarantee that access
? We are committed to enabling library associations and institutions throughout the world, and their staff, to participate in the work of the Federation regardless of geographical location
? We support and promote the principles of freedom of access to information ideas and works of imagination embodied in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
? We recognize the rights of all members to engage in, and benefit from, its activities without regard to citizenship, ethnic origin, gender, language, political philosophy, race or religion.

IFLA/FAIFE (Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression, http://www.ifla.org/faife/ ) is a core activity within IFLA (International Federation of Library Association and Institutions) to defend and promote the basic human rights defined in Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The IFLA/FAIFE Committee and Office furthers free access to information and
freedom of expression in all aspects, directly or indirectly, related to libraries and librarianship. IFLA/FAIFE monitors the state of intellectual freedom within the library community worldwide, supports IFLA policy development and cooperation with other international human rights organisations, and responds to violations of free access to information and freedom of expression.

Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both hold and express opinions and to seek and receive information. Intellectual freedom is the basis of democracy. Intellectual freedom is the core of the library concept.