China imposes ban on audio and video streaming on Sina Weibo and two other websites

The Chinese government is increasing control over internet content. According to the Financial Times, three websites Sina Weibo, iFeng and ACFUN have been asked to stop streaming video and audio content that were not in line with national audiovisual regulations and were propagating negative speech.

All the three sites according to China’s State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) do not have a license to stream content. Tencent which owns WeChat was previously fined for broadcasting political and social news without a proper license. Now individual users need to vie for a license to stream.

Sina Weibo that counts on live stream advertisements to make money, faces government scrutiny like other platforms operating in China, according to the Financial Times. Yet it faces government scrutiny just like other platforms that are operating in China. Read More