Crackdown another effort to rein in free speech, says activist
Beijing's information industry watchdog has stepped up efforts to scrutinise mobile phone text messages by ordering a one-month crackdown on pornographic and 'sensitive' information.
In a notice on its official website, the Ministry of Information Industry said the campaign - expected to last until October 30 - was aimed at curbing a flood of 'dirty' text and voice messages, including those containing pornographic and astrological content.
Short-messaging service texts containing 'provocative language in spreading subjects forbidden by the government' were also banned, it said. The notice did not elaborate, but a human rights activist and a telecommunications expert believed they would include sensitive political topics.
Mainland human rights activist Zhao Xin said the guideline was another effort by the government to rein in freedom of speech.
'What exactly are 'subjects forbidden by the government'? Doesn't our constitution safeguard our freedom of speech, thought and religion?' Mr Zhao asked.
Text messaging has been widely used in organising protests and spreading information banned on traditional channels in recent years. Earlier reports estimated that mobile phone users sent 550 billion text messages last year, with the number tipped to rise to a trillion next year.
