The China operations of Yahoo and Microsoft are among a number of firms that have signed a code of conduct for their blogging businesses in the country, AFP reported. The code, which involves a "self discipline" pact under which they commit to "safeguard state and public interests," according to the China Internet Society, was signed on Friday, after the companies had announced they would agree to it on August 22. The pact "encourages" firms to register the real names and other personal details of their bloggers and also delete any "illegal or bad messages." Foreign internet companies have attracted considerable criticism for agreeing to Beijing's demands for certain content to be censored or banned. The companies argue that they have no choice but to obey local laws in China. The new code of conduct was condemned by Reporters Without Borders.
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