I was browsing through the breaking news section and this one caught my fancy.
China's Internet Bloggers Must Register -- Xinhua
Beijing (XFN-ASIA) - China intends to require its 17 million Internet bloggers to register under their real names, state press reported. Under the system, bloggers would be allowed to continue using their online pseudonyms, but must register with authorities under their real names, the Xinhua news agency said.
The real name requirement is an ''unavoidable choice'' if China wants to properly develop its blogging community, Xinhua quoted the head of the Internet Society of China Huang Chengqing as saying.
The society is the state-controlled organization in charge of developing the new system.
Xinhua said some bloggers used their anonymity to disseminate ''irresponsible and untrue'' information, and called them a ''bad influence''. However, the agency also recognised there could be privacy and free-speech concerns.
Huang acknowledged the concerns over free expression, but said there needed to be a balance between freedom and responsible Web use. Huang gave no firm timetable for implementing the system.
China has 123 million Internet users, according to reports.
Will this ever happen in the Philippines? Hmm… I wonder if this will create chaos among Filipino bloggers?
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