China swears to penalize spreaders of Internet rumors

China is restoring warnings to penalize people who post falsehoods on the Internet, as the government tries to intervene in a medium that has become a source of lively argument and criticism.

According to a spokesperson of the State Internet Information Office, who chooses not to be named, internet rumors were malignant tumors that harm social stability. This statement, officially broadcast by the Xinhua News Agency calls on Internet users to abide by laws and stop spreading rumors.

The Spokesperson's particular ire is regarding the salacious, sarcastic and controversial postings on the popular Twitter-like Sina Weibo service that purported to be from a prostitute but was really done by a male editor. Xinhua said the account "prostitute's diary" got more than 250,000 followers before the author's true identity was discovered and the account was deactivated.

Under Chinese law, spreading rumors is punishable by five to 10 days in jail plus a 500 yuan ($80) fine.

In March this year, one citizen from Hangzhou received the maximum penalty for spreading news and warning people not to eat seafood coming from eastern China because according to the "gossiper" they are already contaminated by radiation from the Japan.

Currently, Twitter-like sites in China, which have about 200 million users have come under strict supervision. — ARA