Chinese authorities order major social media platform to curb 'harmful content'

Chinese authorities have ordered a major social media platform to curb harmful content more effectively as they intensify oversight of online expression

Chinese authorities have ordered a major social media platform to curb "harmful content" more effectively as they intensify oversight of online expression. The campaign is intended not just to stamp out dissent, but to ensure that all media "serves the direction of socialism". The continuing crackdown targets not only explicit depictions of sex and violence, but even rap music, crude cartoons, dirty jokes, celebrity gossip and tattoos.

Sina Weibo has failed to comply, Beijing's Cyberspace Administration said Saturday on its official WeChat social media account, berating the site for letting users post "content of wrong public opinion orientation, obscenity, low taste and ethnic discrimination". China has some of the world's tightest controls over web content, protected by what is called "The Great Firewall". A controversial cybersecurity law, which took effect last June, has given authorities even more leeway to regulate a wide variety of information.

2012
Year since restrictions on free speech have risen in China

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