Tencent, PPTV, and more in trouble with authorities for “hyping vulgar content”

Eight internet technology companies, including Tencent, Sina News, Phoenix News, Ku6, PPTV, and 17173, have been found guilty of promoting vulgar and lowbrow content, reports China’s state-run television network CCTV. The report specifically cites low-on-meaning, high-on-titillation examples like Tencent’s ‘Hot and Sexy Photos’ column, and other similarly sex-focused attempts at grabbing eyeballs.

According to the CCTV report, the State Information Office has instructed local branches in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong, to “seriously investigate” the companies. Authorities have already spoken to the offending companies about their failure to follow the law, and some – perhaps all – of the offending content has been removed.

See: China’s censors ban TV shows and ads from using internet slang

For example, China’s biggest gaming site 17173 made the list of offenders for operating a subsite at 818.17173.com that had nothing to do with video games, and instead was simply a frequently-updated collection of sexy photos. Visit that URL today, though, and you’ll find yourself redirected to 17173’s main site.

The CCTV report and the investigations of the eight internet companies are part of a 2014 “anti-pornography” campaign. China’s government undertakes these campaigns with some regularity in an attempt to keep its corner of the internet free from actual pornography, overly sexually suggestive imagery, and politically sensitive material. Beyond the closing of the offending columns and services, it’s unlikely that any of the companies named will be more severely published.

(Source: Techweb)