Yahoo and MSN sign blogging 'self-discipline' pact in China

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Breitbart reports that Yahoo, MSN and other blog providers in China signed the "self-discipline" pact this week. By doing so, they pledged to "safeguard state and public interests,".

It encourages the Internet companies to register the real names, addresses, and other personal details of the bloggers, and then keep this information.

That's not all. They also committed to delete any "illegal or bad messages", according to a copy of the pact that was posted on the society's website. Opinions that are critical the Chinese government or the spreading of democratic ideology are not allowed. Neither is sex and violence.

"I can confirm that we signed the pact this week," Yahoo China's Beijing-based spokesman Dou Xiaohan said.

MSN China spokesman Feng Jinhu said: "We've signed the pact but there is no press release on that. On your other questions, we will get back to you as soon as possible."

Internet companies have faced controversy before for bowing to the Chinese government's demands and agreeing to censor websites and content banned by the nation's propaganda chiefs. They simply say that they have no choice but to follow the countries rules.

Way to go guys. Do you think that the world is better because you bow to the demands of a communist state? They will certainly be richer. That is what is important after all...