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censorship

Swimsuit Scene Deemed Too Raunchy for American Audience

Swimsuit Scene Deemed Too Raunchy for American Audience

America is known for being particularly prudent when it comes to sex and nudity, and the censors have been at it again in the US release of new Fire Emblem Awakening content. Someone somewhere has judged an image in the game to be far too naughty for sensitive American eyes, incurring the wrath and bemusement of fans around the globe. Read More

Parents Group in Russia Deems Death Note ‘Harmful Matter,’ Requests Ban

Parents Group in Russia Deems Death Note ‘Harmful Matter,’ Requests Ban

On 24 April in the Ural region of Russia, a parents group published an open letter to President Vladimir Putin asking that the popular Death Note manga series be regulated in all its forms (print, anime, live action).

Death Note was a Shonen Jump series that ran from 2003 to 2006 and centered on Light Yamagi, a student who stumbles upon a magical notebook which has the power to kill people simply by writing their names in it.

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Chinese Authorities to Issue Ban on Using Quotes from Weibo and Foreign Media Sources

Chinese Authorities to Issue Ban on Using Quotes from Weibo and Foreign Media Sources

It became evident on the 16th that as a general rule, Chinese authorities would soon ban domestic media companies from using quotes from foreign media sources and information garnered from Weibo, the country’s popular microblogging website. Citing the need to “form a healthy reporting structure,” among other reasons, authorities are preparing to lay out strict reporting regulations

The General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), state authorities that control domestic media, made it clear they will start “requesting reporters and editors” not to use reports from foreign media sources or citizen-generated content from the Internet without first gaining prior approval.

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China Now Hiring “Chief Pornographic Identification Officer”, Benefits Include Fruit, Yogurt

China Now Hiring “Chief Pornographic Identification Officer”, Benefits Include Fruit, Yogurt

The illegal posting of adult content on the internet is a huge problem for producers, and even for China — a country that maintains remarkably strict standards regarding adult content — it’s near impossible to regulate. Like a whack-a-mole game (especially this one) infinite in scope, when one site is shut down another one pops up right away.

To stem this trend a security company is looking for one brave soul with can sail out into the vast sea of information on the net and locate websites hosting adult content.

That’s right: they want to pay someone to look for pornographic websites – what many of you are probably doing right now, but for cash.

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World Objects to Okuizumo’s Objection to Michelangelo’s David, “That Anime They Put Out Is OK, but David Isn’t?!”

World Objects to Okuizumo’s Objection to Michelangelo’s David, “That Anime They Put Out Is OK, but David Isn’t?!”

Since its creation five centuries ago at the hands of master sculptor Michelangelo, David has been ruffling feathers everywhere it goes in the world. Although David stands proudly among the masterpieces of fine art, some complain he’s being a little too proud.

The latest call for size XXXXXL underpants comes from some residents in the town of Okuizumo in Shimane Prefecture. According to Yomiuri Shinbun, numerous complaints have been coming in to the effect of “education and nudity don’t mix.”

As a result, the small town has been put under an international spotlight in the endless debate of David’s Doodad.

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Myanmar’s First Adult Magazine Hints at Newfound Freedom of Speech, but has Its License Removed Just Weeks Later

Myanmar’s First Adult Magazine Hints at Newfound Freedom of Speech, but has Its License Removed Just Weeks Later

Despite the abundance of adult-oriented magazines, video and entertainment made available to those of us in Japan and the western world, it wasn’t until the end of 2012 that South-East Asian country Myanmar had an adult-only magazine of its own.

Prior to 2012, Myanmar’s magazines, books and newspapers were all bound by strict publishing laws and were often edited prior to their release by the ultra-conservative government. But thanks to changes to the law and the decision to remove the strict media sanctions, Myanmar’s publishing industry is witenessing a something of a rebirth, with the first private newspapers in more than 20 years due to go on sale later this year.

One of the first magazines to take advantage of this new, more relaxed set of laws was Hnyo – Myanmar’s first ever legally-published adult magazine. Although its content is unlikely to shock western audiences and those of us who grew up with lockable doors and access to the Internet, the magazine has caused quite a stir in its homeland, presenting erotic images and offering tips and techniques for a healthy sex life while providing information to help “boost people’s awareness of sex and sexual diseases.” Read More

David’s Ding-a-Ling Drives Democratic Cancellation of Censorship on Chinese TV

David’s Ding-a-Ling Drives Democratic Cancellation of Censorship on Chinese TV

Perhaps no one in history has genitals that have been as scrutinized as those of Michelangelo’s David.  An iconic piece of art considered by many to be one of the greatest, it also seems to be that fine line at which censors are universally derided for having their head up their rears.

However, when talk of the statue comes up, there’s always an unusual amount of attention paid to his package.  Such is the case in China when its state run TV channel with the ironic acronym CCTV ran a program censoring out David’s naughty bits.

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