TIMELINE-China’s steps to control its data and information
One AmericaNov 27, 2022
The Facts
The Chinese government has reportedly ramped up efforts to eliminate fake news and rumors from spreading online, shutting down over 100K accounts over the past month that allegedly mischaracterized news anchors and media agencies.
The regulator — called the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) — stated it had cleared 107K accounts of fake news units and anchors as well as 835K cases of false news content since early April.
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
Misinformation and fake news are hardly a PRC problem alone. On the contrary, more and more countries enact laws to punish disinformation producers. Beijing has taken the lead in cleaning up the misinformation that plagued its internet. Among other measures, China has banned ChatGPT and is thus a leader in this complex and emerging space.
Anti-China narrative
The ruling Communist party is strengthening its censorship on social media and says it will continue to monitor and remove so-called "unsanctioned" content across social media and traditional news outlets. Beijing's intensified efforts to clean up the internet from false news and rumors are nothing but an attack on free speech and freedom of information. This is a crackdown and persecution of independent and critical journalism.