MCLC: Renmin ribao database censorship (1,2)

[Denton, Kirk]

MCLC LIST
From: jim dew (jameserwindew at yahoo.com)
Subject: Renmin ribao database censorship (1)
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This is interesting. But why is such an important database left under the
control of the Party censors? Shouldn't OriProbe, or the Library of
Congress or one or more North American or European university libraries
own copies of such important databases and keep them where they would be
out of reach of Communist Party officials who want to rewrite history?

 
Jim Dew

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From: rudolf wagner <wagner at asia-europe.uni-heidelberg.de>
Subject: Renmin ribao database censorship (2)

Censorship on access to segments of the Renmin ribao as hosted in Peking
is a predictable problem familiar to many users for quite some time. The
blockages shift over time. When a short while ago the question of PRC
"core interests" and the status of the Spratleys in this context was
discussed, terms such as南沙、西沙、南海争端、南 海局势、东海局势 were
blocked for a while. At
this moment, it seems they are not anymore.

The Berlin State Library, whose superb collection of on-line accessible
digital resources (CrossAsia, http://crossasia.org/en/home.html then click
databases for a list) also offers access to RMRB, handled the problem by
actually having a full download of the RMRB (physically schlepped on a
huge USB from Beijing to Berlin) on its server. Users have two options,
either go (slower) to the Berlin server and have the full run, or (faster)
via Berlin to the Peking server and risk the chance that some terms are
blocked. I am not aware of any other library having taken the same and
very wise precautions. But, true, it is messy and taking care of it is
expensive. But this might be part of the cost of studying contemporary
China without guidance from the official master narrative of the moment.

Best
Rudolf Wagner