China to shut political, social news sites run by major web portals

Beijing: Chinese state media say Beijing authorities have shut down several news programmes run by major web portals in the latest round of efforts to restrict reporting of political and social news. [caption id=“attachment_2683794” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AFP[/caption] The state-run Beijing News said late Sunday that the municipal office in charge of cyberspace regulations had ordered news portals of Sina, Sohu, Netease and iFeng to end their news programmes known for more freewheeling coverage. The government office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press. By law, Chinese news sites are allowed to carry only political news reports from state media controlled by party committees and governments, but major news sites — partly driven by commercial interests — have had their own editorial staffs to chase hot social issues and conduct in-depth investigations.