Rumor: China May Consolidate Internet Regulation in New Agency
Economy & Nation Weekly, 3/08/11
China may soon establish a new Internet regulatory body, tentatively known as the “National Internet Management Office,” according to an industry source. Internet content management functions currently scattered across the several ministries and commissions may be combined into this new organization. “This organization could be established in the first half of this year and will be under the auspices of China's State Council Information Office (SCIO)," said the source. "Other ministries such as the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) will also appoint officials in important positions to this new organization so that in the future the Chinese government can better manage information on the internet.”
Sources in China's internet industry say that up until now, more than ten government departments - the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, State Council Information Office, MIIT, General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP), State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), Ministry of Culture (MOC), Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Education (MOE), State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), Ministry of Public Security, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the State Secrecy Administration - were all separately in charge of regulating website content and in charge of approving applications to establish and operate new websites. This means that a comprehensive website, such as a portal, usually has to get permission from more than 10 government departments before it can start operations.
Keywords: State Secrecy Administration government policy content Internet Ministry of Health regulation MIIT Ministry of Culture Ministry of Education Ministry of Public Security SARFT SAIC State Council State Council Information Office GAPP Publicity Department China Academy of Sciences
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