China: Internet filter challenged in rights uproar

China Internet filter challenged in rights uproar
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/11/AR2009061102026.html>
Thursday, June 11, 2009 11:54 AM

BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese lawyer has demanded a public hearing to
reconsider a government demand that all new personal computers carry Internet
filtering software, adding to uproar over a plan critics say is ineffective
and intrusive.

Li Fangping, a Beijing human rights advocate who often embraces controversial
causes, has asked the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to allow
hearings on the "lawfulness and reasonableness" of the demand, which takes
effect from July 1 and was publicized only this week.

"This administrative action lacks a legal basis," Li wrote in a submission to
the ministry that was sent to reporters by email on Thursday.

--snip--