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Self-media accounts, particularly non-institutional content
publishers on platforms such as WeChat and Weibo, are facing stricter
management, and operators should be more disciplined if they want to continue
posting information online, according to a recent notification.Self-media accounts are websites that provide
news or information without being regulated or authorized by the state.The announcement was made by China's main
internet regulating organization, the Cyberspace Administration of China, on
Wednesday and was later posted online on Monday.A list of 13 rules that are applicable to all
websites and platforms nationwide has been released by the government. They are
urged to improve the way they manage their own social media profiles in order
to maintain virtual order.Websites and platforms are required, as
indicated in the notification, to thoroughly review all registered accounts,
particularly those that have had their names changed. To protect government
accounts from fraud, this examination is being conducted.The related accounts must go through manual
inspection, per the letter, "if the posted content contains names or logos
of the Party and government agencies, military organizations, news media, or
administrative departments.""More thorough assessments need to be
made on self-media accounts related to money, education, health care, and
justice. Additionally, the letter emphasised that the homepages of these
accounts should clearly disclose the credentials and backgrounds of content
creators.While self-media accounts must declare the
sources of any content that relates to politics, social concerns, or domestic
and international events, the notification also stresses that authors should
avoid misusing language or falsifying information through haphazard editing
methods.If rumors concerning policies, public
emergencies, or people's livelihoods are identified, websites and platforms are
obligated to promptly label them as such and utilize algorithms to minimize the
dissemination of false information, according to the notification."Self-media accounts found to have
generated rumors, incited public unrest, or disseminated illegal or harmful
information will be shut down, blacklisted, and reported to cyberspace
authorities," it warned.Additionally, the notification directs all
national cyberspace authorities to strengthen oversight and direction over
websites and platforms, particularly those that are used for news distribution,
livestreaming, and short films.This notification is not the first
instance of the administration's focus on managing self-media accounts. The
rapid development of the internet has granted individuals the right to open
accounts and share their ideas and articles. However, certain content has been
deemed inappropriate or even illegal, potentially leading to disorder in
cyberspace and misleading the public, stated the regulatory authority.Consequently, in recent years, the administration has
intensified its efforts to govern self-media accounts and purify the online
environment.In March, the administration instructed
major internet platforms to take action against self-media accounts operating
illegally or spreading rumors. Data released by the administration revealed
that as of May 22, over 1.41 million pieces of inappropriate information had
been removed, and more than 66,600 accounts had been shut down.
*The opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author.* Follow Us
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