The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has written to Microsoft chairman Bill Gates to protest Microsoft Corporation's closing of Chinese Internet users' blogs.

Microsoft recently closed the blog of a Chinese journalist because it dealt with issues that are politically sensitive in China.

According to IFJ, Microsoft's blog service in China bars the use of words such as "democracy" and "human rights".

Brooke Richardson, the group product manager of Microsoft's MSN online division, said the blog was shut down because: "when we operate in markets around the world, we have to ensure that our service complies with global laws as well as local laws and norms.”

IFJ however says that Microsoft's action is a violation of Zhao Jing's human rights, particularly his right to freedom of expression as protected by article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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