China’s Internet regulator has announced the launch of a two-month nationwide campaign aimed at limiting the spread of content online that promotes violence or provokes hostility in society. Even pessimistic comments may fall under the ban, reports Reuters.
Such measures are explained by growing concern over negative sentiment, as the country’s economy faces difficulties and youth unemployment remains a serious problem. The Cyberspace Administration of China said the checks will cover trending topics, content recommendation systems and comment sections on social media. Special attention is paid to material that provokes conflicts between fan groups, contains doxing techniques or promotes their sale.
The campaign will also aim to combat false reports, economic rumours, distorted coverage of incidents and so-called “sensational conspiracy theories”. Publications that spread pessimism and negative moods, such as statements such as “hard work is useless” or “studying are useless”, as well as those that exaggerate individual incidents and create a gloomy vision of life in society, will also be classified as “problematic”.
The country already has strict rules regarding online content. Unlike Western platforms, where regulation is mostly spot-on, in China control is much broader, because the authorities fear that emotional discussions on the Internet can destabilize the situation in real life.
The regulator’s statement came shortly after Beijing police said they were taking “compulsory measures” against three people suspected of spreading rumors about the death of 37-year-old actor Yu Menglong, known for his roles in popular TV series. According to the official version, the actor “fell to his death after drinking alcohol”, but the perpetrators invented false information and edited fake videos to attract attention, which, as the law enforcement officers noted, “seriously violated public order”.
