The Chinese government has ramped up its campaign to eliminate misinformation from the internet, with the closure of over 100,000 online accounts in the past month that have been linked to news misrepresentation, according to the nation’s cyberspace authority.
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has initiated a targeted operation aimed at curbing the spread of “fake news” through social media channels that impersonate state-run media outlets and news anchors.
Since April 6, the CAC has shut down approximately 107,000 accounts associated with phony news organizations and impersonators of news presenters, while also removing 835,000 instances of false information.
This crackdown coincides with a global rise in disinformation, prompting various nations to enact laws designed to hold offenders accountable.
Chinese social media platforms, including Weibo, already operate under strict governmental controls, favoring content produced by state media and censoring sensitive topics, even when they gain substantial public attention.
The CAC’s review revealed that several accounts had been masquerading as credible news sources by fabricating news studio settings and mimicking professional anchors, employing artificial intelligence techniques to create misleading personas.
The types of misinformation identified during the campaign included coverage on significant social events and current international issues, as outlined in a CAC statement released on its website on Monday.
The agency reiterated its commitment to guiding online platforms to protect the rights of internet users in accessing credible news and urged the public to report any instances of fake information or impersonation.
The Chinese government has a history of implementing comprehensive measures to erase content deemed inappropriate, offensive, or a potential threat to society and businesses.
In a recent initiative, the CAC pledged to tackle harmful online comments that could tarnish corporate and entrepreneurial reputations.
With the rise of generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT, there are additional concerns regarding misinformation. Recently, authorities in Gansu province arrested an individual for allegedly using ChatGPT to fabricate a story about a train accident.
© Thomson Reuters 2023
(This story has not been altered by NDTV staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
