There is a current clampdown on fake journalist and questionable media platforms churning out fake news to defame and blackmail people.
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China on Wednesday launched a crack down on fake journalists and news, as well as illegal information and publications, the National Office against Porn*graphic and Illegal Publications said.
According to a statement by the office, the nationwide campaign will last from March to November and targets those falsely claiming to be journalists and using false news stories to blackmail others.
“It aims to uncover people impersonating reporters for blackmail purposes or fraud, foreign journalists engaging in illegal news reporting, as well as illegal news websites and academic journals,’’ it stated.
“Another campaign for the same period will clean up publications using content that is harmful to minors, such as obscenity, violence, school bullying and suicide.
“It will also shut down websites and apps that disseminate harmful literature, games, and cartoons,’’ it stated.
The statement said Chinese law enforcers would also crack down on the creation, sale and dissemination of p*rnographic information in live-streaming videos, instant chat services and pop-up ads. It added that live-streaming video platforms and websites should improve systems that review content.
It further added that in the first two months of 2017, over 1.3 million illegal publications were confiscated nationwide and over 1 million pornographic items removed.