On October 19, Internet self-regulation commissioners from 10 of China's major web portals including Sohu, Sina and NetEase, gathered in Beijing to hear lectures from online media experts. It was the first training course for the 10 newly-appointed commissioners, who are involved in a pilot program to remove harmful material from the Internet.

Internet self-regulation commissioners and lecturers attend a training session held in Beijing on October 19, 2010.

The post of Internet self-regulation commissioner was created by the Beijing Association of Online Media in September. Their task is to monitor the Internet for information harmful to national security and social stability, as well as or illegal, immoral and pornographic content. The commissioners are also responsible for seeking feedback from Internet users and making suggestions to online media organizations.

Sohu introduced the trainees to its newest online products such as micro-blogging, as well as its management systems for dealing with interactive information. Participants discussed how online communities can establish responsive mechanisms to combat harmful material. Veteran Internet users like Wang Hanyu and Wang Ting shared their experiences.

Following in the footsteps of the U.S., the U.K., Germany and others, China has decided to go down the road of self-regulation as the best way to curb the spread of harmful material on the Internet. The self-regulation commissioners are one of the outcomes of this approach.

Prof. Min Dahong speaks at a training session for Internet self-regulation commissioners held in Beijing on October 19, 2010.

Chen Hua from the Beijing Internet Information Council speaks at a training session for Internet self-regulation commissioners held in Beijing on October 19, 2010.