You think the FEC is hard on bloggers? Try blogging from China:

Chinese authorities have ordered all weblogs and websites in the country to register with the government or face closure in Beijing’s latest attempt to control online dissent….

Private bloggers or websites must register the complete identity of the person responsible for the site, and the ministry – which has set a June 30 deadline for compliance – said 74% of all sites had already registered.

“The internet has profited many people, but it also has brought many problems, such as sex, violence, feudal superstitions and other harmful information that has seriously poisoned people’s spirits,” the ministry explained.

There are undoubtedly quite a few MSMers here in the U.S. who think this is a dandy idea.

No wonder Washington Post managing editor Philip Bennett believes “China is the best place in the world to be an American journalist.”

(Hat tip: Marc Landers)