Ban the bloggers

This is the way China would like to treat some of her bloggers who are using internet anonymity to comment on current affairs and even criticise their government in ways which does not please the regime. There have been attempts to make all bloggers register their real names with the government. There they would be available to police if offences were detected. But the government has now abandoned the plan after an unusually outspoken wave of protest from internet users. China has 140 million users with 20 million registered blogs. Government rules appear on blog sites as a pair of friendly cartoon cops. This climb down is a small victory for freedom of speech in China. Already using detection methods already available to them scores have been sent to prison for comments or information released onto the internet or through email.

Long live the internet. Down with walls that divide us. Jaw not war, if you don't mind, Mr Chairman.