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China has shut down over 60,000 pornographic Websites this year in a major crackdown against obscene material on the Internet. Although critics argue that critics have accused the Chinese government of using the censorship, which was launched in December 2009, as a way of also blocking a lot of other Websites with politically sensitive or controversial user-generated content, the government argues that it is a necessary action that is driven by the increasing amount of lewd Web content that is getting out of control and thus threatening the emotional health of children.
During the process, the government examined the content of 1.79 million Websites and removed 350 million pornographic and lewd articles, pictures and video footages. According to Wang Chen, head of the State Council Information Office, the campaign has been very successful and the Internet environment is better for it as it is now cleaner than ever when so many pornographic Websites were available. This latest crackdown against obscene material also comes with the arrests of over 5,000 suspects. Already there are signs that other countries may follow suit and take a similar stance. For example, the UK government has been reported to have somewhat similar plans to turn off all Internet porn sites at the ISP level by legislation pending talks with leading broadband providers.
Talking Point
Do you see the Chinese government’s crackdown against Internet porn sites as a clampdown on Web freedom or should similar actions be encouraged particularly where there is proof that these sites are damaging to children?