China vows to crackdown on ‘rumour blogging’

CHINA’S Communist Party is ratcheting up pressure on social media sites.

The latest warning shots were fired by Wang Chen, a senior propaganda official, who told a meeting of government and internet company officials this week that Twitter-like microblog services need tighter regulation. Mr Wang reiterated a warning that punishment will be meted out to people who post rumours or falsehoods.

“Microblog sites should strengthen the management of information dissemination, and not provide channels for the spread of rumours,” said Mr Wang.

“Those who fabricate facts and concoct lies online, should be severely punished according to the law.”

His remarks, widely reported in state media yesterday, came ahead of today’s opening of the annual meeting of the party’s Central Committee and fit with this year’s stated agenda: reforming the cultural system.

The 200-plus members of the party elite will try to dampen infighting over who will lead China when president Hu Jintao and many in his collective leadership must retire in a year.