Weibo to Block Unapproved Video Content Following Government Rebuke

Advertisement
By Reuters | Updated: 29 June 2017 14:02 IST
Highlights
  • Weibo to block unapproved video content from its platform
  • The Chinese company will work with the state media
  • China earlier tightened noose for video sharing platforms in the country

Weibo Corp, the operator of China's top microblogging site, will block unapproved video content and work more closely with state media to promote "mainstream" ideas, the firm said, following a sharp rebuke from regulators last week.

Chinese authorities have launched a broad campaign to control political opinion and formalise online surveillance mechanisms, cracking down on online content including literature, livestreaming, news and social media accounts.

Last week, the media watchdog, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, threatened to close Weibo's video service along with two other popular services, ACFUN and iFeng.

Advertisement

In a statement posted on its website late on Wednesday, Weibo said it "sincerely accepted the criticism", and would immediately begin work to remove political, media and current affairs video accounts from outlets that lack a license.

Advertisement

Weibo added that it will strengthen cooperation with the country's top three state media outlets - Xinhua news agency, China Central Television and the People's Daily - and work to promote outlets that represent mainstream political ideas.

Unlicensed television and film content, as well as videos longer than 15 minutes, will be banned on the platform, it said.

Advertisement

Television and film producers in China are legally required to submit content for approval, a regulation that has increasingly targeted the country's extensive and fast-growing online film industry.

China's cyberspace authorities ordered Internet companies earlier this month to close 60 popular celebrity gossip social media accounts to help "actively propagate core socialist values" and prop up "mainstream public opinion".

Advertisement

Shares in Weibo and Sina Corp, which has a stake in Weibo, have fallen since the watchdog issued its warning last week, but are still up nearly 160 percent over the last year.

© Thomson Reuters 2017

 

Catch the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360, at our CES 2026 hub.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. OnePlus Freedom Sale Slashes Prices of Phones, Tablets, and More Products
  2. These OnePlus, Samsung Phones Will Be on Sale During Amazon's Next Sale
  3. These Smartphones Will Be Discounted During Flipkart Republic Day Sale
  4. Vivo X200T Confirmed to Launch in India Soon: See Expected Specs
  5. Here Are Some of the Best Smartphones With Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 SoC
  6. Amazon Great Republic Day Sale 2026: iQOO Smartphone Deals Revealed
  7. Vivo Y500i With a 7,200mAh Battery, 50-Megapixel Camera Launched
  8. OnePlus 15T New Leak Reveals Colourways, Specifications
  9. Webb Telescope Finds Rare Cosmic Dust in One of the Universe's Most Primitive Galaxies
  10. Google Adds AI-Powered 'Business Agent' Feature to Search for Shoppers
  1. WhatsApp Might Soon Let Parents Control Who Minors Interact With
  2. Nothing Announces Plans to Open Its First Flagship Store in India Soon
  3. After OpenAI, Now Anthropic Introduces Claude for Healthcare AI Tools
  4. Honor Magic 8 RSR Porsche Design Launch Date, Colourways Announced; Set to Arrive Alongside Magic 8 Pro Air
  5. Mahasenha Volume 1 OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch This Mystical Thriller Online?
  6. Kirkkan OTT Release Date Confirmed: When and Where to Watch it Online?
  7. OnePlus 15T Colourways, RAM, Storage Variants Leaked Online; Tipped to Launch With Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC
  8. Vivo X200T India Launch Teased; Flipkart Availability Confirmed: Expected Specifications
  9. Bitcoin Trades Flat as Crypto Markets Enter Consolidation Phase
  10. Forza Horizon 6 and Fable Gameplay to Debut at Xbox Developer Direct on January 22
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.