Microsoft censoring blogs in China

Microsoft is censoring the use of words “democracy,” “human rights”, “Taiwan independence” and other terms on the Chinese version of MSN Spaces in cooperation with the Chinese Government.

AP reports that Tala Dowlatshahi, a spokeswoman for Reporters Without Borders, said such arrangements are common when large technology companies do business in China.

The journalists’ group has sent letters to the presidents of Microsoft, Yahoo!, Google, Cisco Systems and other companies urging executives to pressure the Chinese government for reforms on free expression.