Vietnam has tightened curbs on bloggers to ban views seen as opposing the state or undermining national security, according to a new edict which asks online service providers to provide data on users. The Internet has given Vietnamese people a forum to express themselves that cannot be found in the traditional media, which are closely controlled by the communist authorities.
It has produced a flourishing blogosphere, but the government said earlier this month it wanted closer regulation. The new circular, of which AFP obtained a copy Wednesday, stipulates blogs are to display private content, and must not "provide, transmit or have direct links" to information that would violate another regulation from earlier this year.
That regulation bans online behaviour that "opposes the state undermines national security and social order and safety," causes conflict, or discloses national security, military or economic secrets.
Thanh Nien newspaper earlier said this month that authorities would contact Internet giants Google and Yahoo! for their co-operation "in creating the best and healthiest environment for bloggers." The new circular asks "enterprises specialised in providing social online services" to build up a database on blogs under their supervision and provide information to authorities on request, as well as to eliminate content which may contravene regulations.
Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders lists Vietnam as among the "enemies of the Internet" with censorship practices "almost as thorough as those of its Chinese big sister."
Comments
Comments are closed.