China’s Supreme Court announced new guidelines for Internet use, including years-long jail stints for people who author “online rumors” that are viewed more than 5,000 times or reposted 500 times. Such a post would qualify as defamation, which in China carries a max sentence of three years in jail. Should a post “seriously endanger social order and national interests,” more serious charges could be pursued. Aside from the 5,000 views and 500 reposts criteria, there appear to be no objective guidelines for what sort of posts would violate this decree.
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China Targets Online Rumor Mill With Threat of Jail
Posted by: David Vranicar September 10, 2013 09:11 AMChina’s Supreme Court announced new guidelines for Internet use, including years-long jail stints for people who author “online rumors” that are viewed more than 5,000 times or reposted 500 times. Such a post would qualify as defamation, which in China carries a max sentence of three years in jail. Should a post “seriously endanger social order and national interests,” more serious charges could be pursued. Aside from the 5,000 views and 500 reposts criteria, there appear to be no objective guidelines for what sort of posts would violate this decree.