Press Office of the State Council and Ministry of Information Industry, Provisions for the Administration of Internet News Information Services

Promulgated: September 25 2005
Effective: as of date of promulgation
Applicability: Those engaging in internet news information services within the PRC shall abide by these Provisions. The term 'news information' means current affairs and political types of news information, including reports or comments on politics, economy, military affairs, diplomacy and other social and public affairs, as well as reports or comments related to unexpected social events. The term 'internet news information services' includes publication of news information, provision of current affairs and political types of electronic messaging services and release of current affairs and political types of communication information to the public through the internet (Article 2). The term 'press work units' means newspaper offices, radio stations, television stations and news agencies established in accordance with the law (Article 32).

Main contents: Internet news information service work units are classified into three categories:
1. internet news information service work units established by press work units that publish news information exceeding the scope of that has been published or broadcast by the press work unit, provide current affairs and political types of electronic messaging services, and release to the public current affairs and political types of communication information;
2. internet news information service work units established by non-press work units that republish news information, provide current affairs and political types of electronic messaging services and release to the public current affairs and political types of communication information; and
3. internet news information service work units established by press work units that publish news information that has already been published or broadcast by the press work unit (Article 5).