China clamps down on video

Things just keep heading in the wrong direction for the Internet in China. The latest lovely throttling of people's communication rights is a new policy that only state-owned or controlled websites may show video, the AP reports.

How'd you like to live in this society?

"Those who provide Internet video services should insist on serving the people, serve socialism ... and abide by the moral code of socialism," the rules say.

In addition, sites will need a video permit and operators who commit "major" violations may be banned from providing online video programming for five years.

How does this all affect Google's already troubled China operations? (That's Google China's building in Beijing, btw.)

"We believe that the Chinese government fully recognizes the enormous value of online video and will not enforce the regulations in a way that could deprive the Chinese people of its benefits and potential for business and economic development, education and culture, communication, and entertainment," YouTube spokesman Ricardo Reyes said.

Good luck with that, Ricardo.