Chinese capital shuts down 18 websites in Internet crackdown

BEIJING (AFP) - Beijing authorities have revoked the licenses of six Internet websites and temporarily shut down 12 others during a 90-day city-wide crackdown, state press reported.

Over 858,000 yuan (107,000 dollars) in fines have been collected from 35 websites and Internet service providers who allegedly violated Beijing regulations, the Beijing Evening News reported.

Names of the websites and the details of their Internet content were not given.

Among over 1,700 Internet cafes inspected, 30 “black” Internet cafes were also shut down and 446 computers confiscated, the paper said.

In March this year, the capital launched a campaign to clean up “unhealthy content” on Beijing-based websites and to bar those thought to be accessing such material from the city’s Internet cafes.

“Harmful” content authorities want to exclude range from pornography and violence to politically sensitive material such as democracy and human rights.

International media watchdogs such as Reporters Without Borders regularly criticize China for its strict controls of freedom of expression on the Internet.

Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse