| From June 1st, internet providers in China risk executives summoned to answer for their crimes, if Death Note is allowed to stream in the country. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has tightened its control over what may or may not be legally browsed online. On April 28th 2015, it released its 'Ten Clause Directive' aimed at creating a 'clean' internet. Amongst the casualties are Japanese anime sites with Death Note topping the list of undesirable subject matter. The action is part of a long-running campaign directed at any cyber content which the authorities deem 'inappropriate'. That includes anything judged to be vulgar, violence, pornographic or promoting terrorism. Death Note is seen as particularly damaging for young audiences, along with titles like Parasyte and Attack on Titan. Earlier in April 2015, the Ministry of Culture closed down a huge number of websites streaming such anime. CAC has already called in officials from China's biggest internet providers, who have reacted by issuing in-house directives in line with the tightened regulations. They each have until the end of the month to remove all prohibited content from their portion of cyberspace. Beyond June 1st, all violations will incur at least a fine - and the suspension or closure of whole websites, even if only a segment is judged criminal. For repeat or mass offenders, a summoning into a court of law is threatened. Tens of thousands of columns, websites, personal accounts and message forums have already been removed from Chinese cyberspace. I guess my little blog won't be seen in the country any time soon. |  No Light in China |
