Authorities shut down media involved in blackmail cases
Print Edition
A leading Chinese business newspaper has had its license revoked and an associated website has been suspended.
Weekly publication Money Week and 21cbh.com forced clients to sign advertisement and service contracts by threatening to publish negative news about them, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television said in a statement yesterday.
Along with the 21st Century Business Herald newspaper, they were also found to have irregular management practices, the statement said. The 21st Century Business Herald was ordered to conduct internal inspections and restructure its management board.
On September 3 last year, Shanghai police said eight people from 21cbh.com, including President Liu Dong, had been questioned over blackmail allegations.
Later, police widened their investigation to cover parent company 21st Century Media Ltd and said details of almost 30 suspects — former executives, editors and reporters — had been handed to prosecutors.
They included Shen Hao, ex-president of the group, and two of its former vice presidents, Chen Dongyang and Le Bing. Police said they are suspected of forced transactions, blackmail, bribery and embezzlement involving more than 100 million yuan (US$16 million).
“Media involved in blackmail have had a vile social impact, seriously harmed public interests, undermined market order and marred the credibility and image of journalists,” the administration statement said.
It warned all media organizations to learn from the incident and step up their internal regulation of news reporting.
Authorities have been stepping up an ongoing campaign to crack down on fake and paid-for news items.
Over the past 12 months, one of the main focuses was China Central Television, where 10 senior directors, producers and presenters from its business channel have been “helping police with their investigation.”
They included director Guo Zhenxi, vice director Li Yong, producer and financial manager Wang Shijie, and presenters Rui Chenggang and Li Ping.
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