China's top internet regulator, the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, has initiated a three-month campaign to tackle misinformation in online news services. This move aims to regulate internet news activities, enhance the credibility of mainstream media, and create a healthier digital environment, the office announced on Thursday.
Key Areas of Focus
The campaign targets five major concerns related to online news:
Publishing False or Misleading News
The initiative will address the spread of fake news, sensationalist headlines, and fabricated content. It also targets misleading video and image edits that are used to deceive the public.Abuse of Media Oversight
Platforms found manipulating news production, publishing, or deletion to influence search results or extort individuals and businesses will face strict scrutiny.Impersonation of Legitimate News Outlets
Efforts will be made to crack down on platforms that impersonate authorized news services or engage in unauthorized news activities, including the illegal trading of news service licenses.Verification of News Accounts
A distinct category for “news accounts” will be created, and all news platforms will be required to verify licensing qualifications before launching such accounts. Entities must display their names and license numbers prominently.Improvement of Algorithms and Recommendations
Online platforms are urged to refine their algorithm models to prioritize high-quality news from verified sources. Reporting channels will also be expanded to combat illegal activities, with prompt investigations and public exposure of typical cases.
Campaign Implementation
Local cybersecurity departments have been instructed to enhance political awareness and leadership to ensure effective implementation. They are tasked with guiding websites and platforms to categorize public accounts more efficiently, ensuring that only certified news accounts are given prominence.
The spokesperson for the cyberspace regulator emphasized the importance of improving the regulation of online news and ensuring the authenticity of information, which will help build trust in Chinese mainstream media.
Broader Campaign Goals
This campaign is part of a larger series of efforts by the cyberspace authority to clean up the online environment. Key areas of focus for 2024 include:
- Regulating online activities during holidays like the Spring Festival.
- Tackling corporate rights violations to improve the business environment.
- Cracking down on illegal external links and addressing unsavory content from social media accounts.
- Cleaning up the livestreaming industry and protecting minors during summer breaks.
Future Regulatory Focus
Looking forward, the cyberspace office plans to tighten regulation on AI-generated content by enforcing proper labeling. They will also work on standardizing online language use and addressing local content issues in city-specific sections of the internet.