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Location: China

Discussion: Future of Blogs

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Anonymous	Future of Blogs Jul 28 2007, 6:30 AM EDT The popularity of the web is largely based on the ability to remain anonymous while stating something that you might be persecuted for in the normal world. With China now starting to move towards blocking anonynmous postings (Chinese city bans anonymous web postings -- http://www.phillyfuture.org/node/5425), how and by how much do you think new blogs and blog postings in China will be affected? =/\= Post reply 3 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
prayaank	RE: Future of Blogs Jul 29 2007, 6:37 AM EDT Thankyou for your comments Mr/Ms Anonymous.. the government has always been actively involved in the Chinese mainstream and social media. In my view, anonymous web postings are a step towards a more 'democratic' internet, which the government views as a threat. As for its effect on blog postings, well my take is that it will make blogs even less popular as compared to bulletin boards. Anonymity is one of the key reasons why bulletin boards are so popular in China, which is not available on blogs. The question which arises is whether or not excessive governmental control is a threat to the sovereignty of the media? Post reply Do you find this valuable?
amruta05 amruta05	RE: Future of Blogs Jul 29 2007, 6:38 AM EDT Thanks for the link and the comment. Firstly, the reason why bulletin board systems are popular in China are because they allow users to remain anonymous, as compared to blog postings. Now with the ban on anonymous web postings, the blogosphere in China will definitley be affected. Blogs will be affected in the sense that the users will have to take greater responsibility when they voice their opinions on the web. Additionally, the government has always been involved with controlling the media in general and this ban will simply increase the control that the government has in the Chinese social media. The only advice to users in China would then be to blog responsibly. Post reply Do you find this valuable?