Fake News: China shuts 100,000 social media accounts
China has intensified efforts to clean up the internet of fake news and rumours, closing more than 100,000 online accounts that misrepresented news anchors and media agencies over the past month.
Its cyberspace regulator announced on Monday that the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) launched a special campaign to clean up online information, focusing on social media accounts that disseminate “fake news’’ and impersonate state-controlled media.
The regulator said it had wiped 107,000 accounts of counterfeit news units and news anchors and 835,000 pieces of fake news information since April 6.
The cleanup comes as China and countries grapple with an online onslaught of fake news coverage, with many implementing laws to punish culprits.
However, news dissemination on Chinese social media is already heavily controlled, with platforms like Twitter-like Weibo favouring topic hashtags produced by state media.
It censored hashtags on issues or incidents considered sensitive by Beijing, even if they go viral.
The CAC said its review found accounts disguised as authoritative news media by falsifying news studio scenes and imitating professional news presenters, using artificial intelligence (AI) to create anchors to mislead the public.
Fake news identified covered hot topics such as social incidents and international current affairs, according to a statement the CAC posted earlier on its website.
“(The CAC) will guide online platforms to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the majority of internet users to obtain authoritative and real news,’’ the regulator said, adding that it encouraged users to provide leads on fake news and anchors.
China’s government has regularly ordered sweeping measures to scrub the internet of material and language it deemed inappropriate, offensive and a threat to the public and businesses.
Recently, the CAC vowed to crack down on malicious online comments damaging businesses and entrepreneurs’ reputations.
Nascent generative AI technology like ChatGPT has introduced another layer of caution.
China recently arrested a man in Gansu province for allegedly using ChatGPT to generate a fake story about a train crash.
(Reuters/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Cost-reflective tariffs will improve Nigeria’s power sector: Expert
“Cost-reflective tariffs will not only improve delivery but also encourage new investments in both fossil-fuel and renewable energy generation,” he said.
World
Iran confirms U.S. proposal to resume talks amid latest attacks
Iran says it received proposals from mediators about resuming negotiations with the United States.
World
I’ve made UK better, stronger than my predecessor: Keir Starmer
Mr Starmer hailed himself for taking the Labour Party from “historic defeat” in 2019 to winning the country’s general election in 2024, when it ousted the Conservative Party.
Economy
CSCS declares N1 interim dividend after half-year earnings
The company noted that the interim dividend represented 56 per cent of the total dividend of N1.78 per share paid for the 2025 financial year.
Health
Mental health key to attaining excellence in children, says expert
He said children perform better academically and socially when the learning environment supports their emotional well-being.
States
Court dismisses Ned Nwoko’s suit challenging Okowa’s candidacy for Delta North senatorial district
The Federal High Court, Abuja, rejected Mr Nwoko’s suit seeking to void Mr Okowa’s emergence as the APC candidate for the Delta North senatorial district.
