China suspends or closes 50 websites for 'spreading rumors' about Tianjin blasts

[yuiyoshida]

China's censors have been working in overdrive trying to cleanse the web of "dangerous misinformation" in the days after Tianjin was hit by massive explosions. Working with impressive efficiency, they've already announced punishment for the worst offenders.

In a statement released late on Saturday, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) accused 50 websites of "creating panic by publishing unverified information or letting users spread groundless rumors," reports Xinhua.

Some of the more groundless of these included "the blasts killed at least 1,000 people," "shopping malls in Tianjin have been looted" and "there was a leadership change in Tianjin government."

The CAC said that these lies have negative effects on society—much like chemical explosions for example.18 of the websites have had their licenses revoked, while the 32 others have merely been suspended.

Tencent News reports that a male netizen has been sentenced to five days in jail after posting rumors that 1,300 people had been killed in the explosions.

https://twitter.com/LiYuan6/status/632770069995454464

http://shanghaiist.com/2015/08/16/china_punishes_50_websites.php

[jberryhill]

1. .

[Art_from_Ark]

2. Looking at all the pictures of leveled buildings, burnt cars,

and blown-out windows, it is easy to believe that the official death toll of 114 is way underestimated.