Microbloggers in China to Reveal Their Identity before March 16
In China a local government official has warned the users of weibos, the Chinese microblogging services in the capital that March 18 is the deadline for users to post under their real names or they will be banned from the services. This latest step has surfaced at a time when in 2011 the Chinese government issued orders by making it compulsory for weibo users to register under their real names so that it will be easier for authorities to monitor and to block any material which is objectionable for the government authorities of the country. This deadline is just another example of how the Chinese government is trying to exert maximum influence over the social media in the country. China has maintained the record of most elaborate Internet censorship of the world, however, the whole system is primarily focused on imposing blockade over access to particular sites and services which according to the government are harmful.
However the social media, Twitter like microblogging sites such as the weibo have turned out to be difficult for the government to monitor as the postings and messages are distributed just too quickly making it difficult for monitor to keep up in real time. The authorities in China have quite often denounced the use of microblogging services for the purpose of spreading rumors and offensive material. The Beijing official has said that the users who do not get themselves registered with their real names before March 16 will not be able to post however they will be able to read posts by others.
The Chinese authorities have exerted influence over weibos as they immediately deleted the offensive posts.
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