China backs off on new online video rules

BEIJING (AFP) — China appears to have eased new rules allowing only state-owned entities to operate video-sharing services, saying existing private operators could remain in the fast-growing field after all.

State-owned companies would be the "dominant" force in leading the development of audio-visual content on the Chinese Web, a government statement seen on Wednesday said.

But that won't rule out private firms that are in good standing with authorities.

"(Companies) that were launched in accordance with law before the rules were announced and have committed no transgressions can register anew and continue to operate," said the statement posted on the Ministry of Information Industry website.

The rules, which were first announced in early January and went into effect last week, were widely seen as an attempt by Communist Party authorities to transfer the government's television and radio censorship model to the exploding video-sharing segment ...