China bars Weibo and other websites from video streaming

BEIJING - China’s broadcast regulator has barred three major internet platforms’ video streaming services as part of Government efforts to tighten oversight of internet content.

The blogging site, Sina Weibo, the news portal, ifeng.com, and the popular video site, AcFun, were ordered to stop video and audio streaming for violating content rules, according to an announcement posted Thursday night on the website of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT).

The three companies do not have licenses for online video and audio services and provided “rule-breaking” content on political and social issues and commentaries that “advocate negative voices,” the agency said. Caixin reports that the websites have been ordered to go through what the regulator termed as “thorough rectification” to “create a cleaner cyberspace”. The regulator did not specify how long the ban will last. www.webershandwick.cn (ATI).