[photopress:china_internet.jpg,full,alignright]Chongqing, an industrial city in China’s southwest, has set some new rules. It will fine Web surfers up to $625 for online defamation if need be. All of this because of a surge in short satirical Internet films.
Xinhua News Agency said that the rules target Web users ‘who spread information or remarks defaming others, launch personal attacks or damage others’ reputations online.’ Potential violations include posting online video ‘to satirize others or social phenomena.’
Star film director Chen Kaige complained this year about a 20-minute short titled The Bloody Case of the Steamed Bun (a grabber of a title) made with clips from Chen’s The Promise.
China’s government encourages Internet use for business and education but tries to block access to material deemed subversive or obscene.
Source: USA Today