Vast Active Library and Information Science blog. From a recent library science graduate in Wellington, New Zealand. A focus on reference and current awareness tools and issues, especially free, web-based resources.

 
New Scientist carries an article claiming that Google News is censoring news stories that are critical of the Chinese government, for computers based in China.

Google admits to omitting some news sources within China but says this is meant to improve the quality of the service.

"In order to create the best possible news search experience for our users, we sometimes decide not to include some sites, for a variety of reasons," says a statement issued by the company. "These sources were not included because their sites are inaccessible."

So when I suggested they come up with a way of de-duping their news, so I didn't have to scroll through 10 pages carrying the same AP or Reuters article, reprinted in 100 regional newspapers, they couldn't do that, but they can censor sites on behalf of a government? Grrrrrrreeeat.

| posted by Simon at 9:27 am