Crackdown launched on illegal online news services

China's top cyberspace watchdog on Thursday announced a three-month campaign to crack down on illegal online news services, including those that actively spread disinformation. 

According to a release on the official website of the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, the campaign aims to further regulate internet news service activities, enhance the influence of "mainstream news and public opinion", and create a "clean cyberspace".

The campaign will target a number of issues such as the fabrication and dissemination of false and misleading news, and the use of exaggerated headlines that are seriously inconsistent with the content.

Malicious alteration, distortion and forgery of news aimed at intentionally misleading the public will also be targeted.

A particular focus of the campaign will be on the practice of news content creators and media outlets that use the threat of publishing fake news as a form of blackmail for financial gain.

According to the release, the impersonation of news websites, newspapers, radio and television stations to illegally register accounts, set up websites and publish information will also be cracked down upon.

The release said the campaign will make sure that those posting news content online have the necessary licenses for internet news collection and publication services.

It added that the forgery, sale, leasing, lending, or transfer of internet news service licenses will also be investigated.

Departments of cyberspace affairs at various levels should guide website platforms to establish dedicated "news accounts" and require the verification of licenses or qualifications as a prerequisite for setting up such accounts, the release added.

All online channels providing internet news services to the public, including website platforms, social media, applications and livestreams, should prominently display the entity's name and license number in approved channels, according to the release.

For websites and content platforms, they will be required to optimize their algorithm models and information recommendation mechanisms, with a priority given to high-quality news information published by "news accounts".

The campaign will expand channels for complaints and reports, actively handle and verify clues related to illegal activities, and publicly expose typical cases, the release said.