China Imposes Stricter Rules for Content Creators on Social Media

China has increased its efforts to oversee content makers working independently and to counter the spread of false news on the internet.

New regulations were released by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) for internet enterprises, requiring that online platforms monitor user activity and terminate accounts that spread damaging false information or broach delicate subjects, per the Business Times.

The rules, which were made public on July 10, call for improved self-media account management without mentioning any particular information that is deemed detrimental or unlawful.

Numerous standards for online platforms are included in the new online rules. These include enhancing user account verification processes, marking rumors or anything that may cause controversy, and enhancing algorithms to favor information that dispels rumors. The statement also stresses the need for platform owners to thoroughly authenticate content producers in industries including banking, education, journalism, and public health.

These recommendations follow China's recently released draft legislation, which seeks to limit the content of cyberbullying. As a result of current legislation governing online safety and the protection of personal information, internet service providers now face the possibility of being fined.

China Started Taking Down Fake Profiles

The Chinese government is working harder than ever to battle bogus news and clean up the internet. In April, over 100,000 internet user accounts have been terminated for impersonating news anchors and media organizations, according to a Reuters report.

Targeting social media accounts that disseminate "fake news" and pose as state-run media, the CAC initiated a particular effort. Since April 6, the regulatory authority has deleted 835,000 pieces of false news data and terminated 107,000 accounts linked to fake news organizations and news anchors.

The CAC discovered accounts that misled the public by fabricating news studio scenes and impersonating professional news presenters, sometimes using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The measure is even though social media platforms in China are already subject to strict regulation, with platforms like Weibo favoring hashtags created by state media and censoring sensitive topics.

The CAC seeks to protect the interests and rights of the vast majority of internet users to access trustworthy and truthful news. The regulating body urges users to report fake news and anchors. China's government has continually taken steps to sterilize the internet, deleting objectionable and improper information that might endanger the interests of the general public and enterprises.

The CAC has declared its intention to take aggressive action against abusive internet remarks that damage the image of companies and entrepreneurs.

Controlling Journalists' Output

Meanwhile, the "Journalist's Home 'University Hall'," an online training facility that focuses on educating journalists about the Communist Party of China's (CCP) press policy, was introduced by the All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) as part of attempts to control media narratives.

The portal validates journalists' training outcomes in addition to providing courses on the Marxist View of Journalism and tracking journalists' advancement, according to China Media Project. The platform will be essential in training journalists and assisting them in aligning with Chinese President Xi Jinping's Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, according to the ACJA and Xinhua News Agency.