Yahoo and MSN signs “self-discipline” pact in China

This is sad news for the advocacy of freedom of speech. US based internet giants MSN and Yahoo have revealed that they have signed the “self-discipline” pact in China.

This means that they would now have to “safeguard state and public interests”.

This pact also means that the companies would be recommended to register the real names, addresses and other personal details of the bloggers which would be stored with them.

The companies have also agreed to delete any “illegal or bad messages”.

Yahoo China’s Beijing-based spokesman Dou Xiaohan on this development: “I can confirm that we signed the pact this week.”

MSN China spokesman Feng Jinhu had this to say: “We’ve signed the pact but there is no press release on that. On your other questions, we will get back to you as soon as possible.”

International press freedom group Reporters Without Borders had this to say on these new developments: “The Chinese government has yet again forced Internet sector companies to cooperate on sensitive issues. In this case blogger registration and blog content.”