China seeks to eradicate ‘vile effect’ of independent journalism
Online portals permitted to publish stories on sensitive topics only if sourced from government-controlled news agencies
Top Chinese internet portals had been forbidden from producing original reporting on politically sensitive topics in what experts say is the latest step in President Xi Jinping’s battle to bring Chinese journalism under control.
Internet giants including Netease, Sina and Sohu were ordered to pull the plug on their current affairs operations on Monday, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), Beijing’s internet watchdog announced.