China recruits students to write positive posts.

Beijing

In an extension of the country’s Internet surveillance regime, University students in China are being recruited by the Chinese government to write pro-government posts. They get paid 50 Chinese cents per post, and are expected to write a minimum of three positive comments in response to negative events or opinions per day, according to Chinese media.

 A letter from the China Youth Network, posted by Xinhua says, “To take part in this Internet Civilization, one must uphold a firm resolute. This resoluteness has its origins in the Party’s firm beliefs and stems from a deep love of country and nation.”

 The initiative is in line with Beijing’s campaign to improve China on a range of issues including human rights globally, while cracking down as hard as ever on writers and dissidents within the country; PEN says around 44 writers and journalists are currently imprisoned in China

 Facebook and Twitter remain blocked by a government firewall, and Google searches have sometimes been restricted.