Two new Internet bans may offer insight into the Chinese governments biggest fears. One bars Internet news services from inciting illegal assemblies, marches and demonstrations; the other prohibits activities on behalf of illegal civil groups.

Together, they evince the communist regimes concerns over growing civil unrest - and particularly technologys role in fostering protests and strikes, says Julien Pain, who heads the Internet Freedom desk at Reporters Without Borders in Paris.

While the government has been successful at blocking specific Web sites, Pain said, what is more difficult to censor are usually the forums and chat rooms.

Add to that Web journals known as blogs, cell-phone text messaging and e-mail lists - all potential outlets for unchecked political commentary.

Technology is now a political topic of interest now…we may see more of this as time moves on as the story below tells.

[ Continue reading at ap.org ]