A popular internet microblogger confessed in court to spreading rumours about the Chinese government, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Friday, in the first public trial since China began cracking down on online rumours last year.
Rights advocates say China’s campaign to quash online rumours, which began last summer, is tantamount to crushing free expression. The government says the crackdown is necessary to preserve social stability.
Online rumours are particularly pervasive in China, where traditional media is heavily regulated by the government and public trust in the media is low.
According to Xinhua, Qin Zhihui invented a story that the Chinese government gave 200 million yuan ($32.5 million) in compensation to the family of a foreign passenger killed in a high-speed train crash in 2011.
He posted the rumour on Weibo, China’s Twitter-like microblog, and the story was shared widely by other microblog users, Xinhua said.
According to the Xinhua report, Qin also told false stories about a popular television starlet and other celebrities.
No comment was available from Qin and Xinhua gave no indication of any defence he raised in court. The trial is continuing, Xinhua said.
The ruling Communist Party’s campaign to control online discourse threatens criminal penalties against those who spread rumours on microblogs that are reposted more than 500 times or seen by more than 5,000 users.
Source: Reuters “Man confesses in first public trial in China’s rumour crackdown: Xinhua”Related articles
- China journalist slams state TV for airing coerced public confession (chinadailymail.com)
- China targets internet forums in Mao-style crackdown on freedom of speech (chinadailymail.com)
- China’s online crackdown prompts outrage: social media empowers environmental activism (chinadailymail.com)
- China launches new crackdown on internet celebrities (chinadailymail.com)
- Man confesses in first public trial in China’s rumor crackdown: Xinhua (tiananmenstremendousachievements.wordpress.com)
- Chinese man on trial for spreading false rumours online (theguardian.com)
- Chinese Man On Trial For Spreading False Rumors Online (yro.slashdot.org)
- China’s Crackdown on Online Rumors Escalates with First Public Trial (techpresident.com)
- In China rumour crackdown, retweets could invite imprisonment (thehindu.com)
- China tries to rein in microbloggers (guardian.co.uk)
Make a one-time donation
We need your help.
The cost of maintaining a community news site like China News is always increasing.
While access to content will always be free, we would appreciate if you could donate any amount, small or large, to keep us operating.
This is completely optional and won’t affect your ability to read any of our articles.
Thank you.
Make a monthly donation
We need your help.
The cost of maintaining a community news site like China News is always increasing.
While access to content will always be free, we would appreciate if you could donate any amount, small or large, to keep us operating.
This is completely optional and won’t affect your ability to read any of our articles.
Thank you.
Make a yearly donation
We need your help.
The cost of maintaining a community news site like China News is always increasing.
While access to content will always be free, we would appreciate if you could donate any amount, small or large, to keep us operating.
This is completely optional and won’t affect your ability to read any of our articles.
Thank you.
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyCategories: Media & Entertainment
Reading John Rawls in Shanghai 
2021 Olympic viewership: China vs USA 
Attacks on foreign journalists in China cast shadow over Beijing’s upcoming Olympics 
Foreign Journalists in China See ‘Rapid Decline in Media Freedom’: Survey 
China News 
Leave a Reply