State-run media in China have censored parts of U.S. President Barack Obama's inauguration speech, interrupting a live broadcast and deleting sections from the text version of his address.
China Central Television (CCTV) broadcast Mr. Obama's speech live early Wednesday local time. But when he mentioned how earlier generations faced down "fascism and communism," the broadcast cut away quickly to the studio anchor. The anchor then scrambled to ask a guest expert about the challenges the new president faces in helping revive the U.S. economy.
A censored version of Obama's speech was released by the Xinhua news agency and published on popular on-line portals.
The word communism was dropped from the text, but fascism was left in its in place. One line that followed afterwards was completely removed from the speech. It talked about dissent and said those who cling to power through corruption and deceit are on the wrong side of history.
China's Communist Party maintains tight control over the Internet, and its media and frequently block content that it deems politically sensitive.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP.
