Cyber-dissidence a Criminal Act in China

Luo Yongzhong, a Chinese dissident, was given a three-year jail sentence for subversion after expressing his political opinions online.   He published more than 150 articles in online discussion forums, articles which criticized the socialist system and advocated greater human rights and democracy.   The People's Intermediate Court found the articles to be "an incitement to subversion" and to create "a negative influence on society."   After serving his sentence, Luo will be stripped of his civil rights for an additional two years. Although Luo was not a conventional journalist, Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) - two groups that champion Internet freedom - have condemned the decision and called for his immediate release. During the last several years, according to the CPJ, the Chinese government has imposed numerous stringent regulations on Internet content, has intensified efforts to monitor the private activities of individual Internet users, and has blocked access to thousands of web sites. For further information and CPJ's letter to President Hu Jintao, see: http://www.cpj.org/news/2003/China21oct03na.html. For the press release from Reporters Without Borders, visit: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=8331. Summary by:   Clare McCurley