Good news, everyone!  As well all know, the internet is a dirty, filthy place, and has been since it was first invented by Al Gore a few years ago.  Thank heavens Chinese President Hu Jintao recently announced his government’s plan to clean up the “unhealthy” content online, and to make it a hub page for the posting of wise Communist Party advice.

At the heart of the initiative is the Chinese government’s desire to protect citizens from counterproductive principles.  It seems the ethics of dead dictators are no longer at the forefront of web content and design.

Thus, President Hu recently convened with the rest of the 24-member Communist Party to devise an effective strategy in battling China’s internet freedo – er, problem.  In the aftermath of the meeting, the government released the following statement:

“Development and administration of Internet culture must stick to the direction of socialist advanced culture [and] adhere to correct propaganda guidance”. 

Furthermore,

“Internet cultural units must conscientiously take on the responsibility of encouraging development of a system of core socialist values.”

The move by President Hu is now slowly morphing into a campaign.  He first mentioned a purification of the country’s online community back in January, and this most recent action shows he’s ready to put the government to work.

Although some conservative Americans might understand, heck even support the country’s aggressive stance against porn, China’s ever-growing forum and news censorship apparatus curtails online freedom of speech. 

The big problem?  Knowingly or not, the Chinese government may be bludgeoning itself with these recent propagandist policies.  Although Google and Yahoo have worked with the censors to reach China’s 137 million web users, the Communist Party’s increasing vigilance may threaten that lucrative relationship.