China's online video portals asked to filter content

BEIJING - China's industrial association for online video providers on Friday released a self-disciplinary convention on tightened content controls, days after the government issued a circular regarding the same issue.

Contracting parties should examine videos before making them available, as well as create a "quick response mechanism," the convention says.

It stresses content providers' social responsibilities and states that videos featuring content that is banned by law, harmful to minors or "contradicts social virtues and traditions" should not be made available.

The convention also proposes penalties for violators, including warnings and publicization of the offenses.

In a jointly-released circular, the State Internet Information Office and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television Monday urged online video content providers to closely examine their videos before making them available for viewing, stating that providers will be held responsible for the videos posted on their websites.