Draft rule requires Internet TV service providers to employ censors

Chinese Internet radio and television service providers will face fines of as much as 30,000 yuan ($4,834) if they refuse to employ specialized program censors, according to a revised draft regulation on the management of Internet audio-visual programs.

The Legal Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday began to solicit public opinion on the draft, which also bans online content providers from making their own political news programs.

All online programs, including movies, TV dramas, cartoons and documentaries, should comply with the country's laws and regulations, according to the draft.

A license issued by authorities is required before content providers can lawfully run online radio and TV programs, including IPTV, cellphone TV and Internet TV.

In addition, the draft requires online radio and TV service providers to set up management mechanisms, support systems, and contingency mechanisms to ensure network information security.

According to the draft, those who fail to utilize specialized security management personnel or content censors; do not delete content in breach of the regulation in a timely manner; fail to keep broadcast information; do not cooperate with regulators during inquiries; or honor the obligations of reporting will be given a warning and ordered to correct their misbehavior, or face a fine of up to 30,000 yuan.

Investors or operators of an organization found to be in breach of the regulation will also receive a warning and a fine of up to 20,000 yuan.