Nepal-China floods latest: Rescuers rappel into hydropower tunnels in race to find survivors
Chinese authorities have penalized 12 individuals for allegedly spreading false information online about recent catastrophic floods along the Nepal-China border, with 10 receiving administrative penalties. The "cyberspace cleanup" targeted speculation and claims about official casualty numbers, which authorities reported as 16 killed and 546 missing. This action highlights China's strict control over online content, especially during natural disasters.
Why it matters
This article reveals China's stringent censorship practices, particularly during crises, and its efforts to control the narrative around natural disasters, which can impact public trust and information flow during critical times.
Link Copied! 12 people in China taken to task for allegedly spreading false information about floods By Sylvie Zhuang A drone view shows houses covered in mud after the flash floods and mudslide, at Devighat, Nepal, on August 29. Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters At least 12 people in China were taken to task after they were accused of spreading false information online about last week’s catastrophic flooding along its border with Nepal, according to Chinese authorities.
The latest “cyberspace cleanup” campaign launched by China’s Public Security Ministry targeted people who “fabricated and spread false information on the disaster to mislead the public,” according to a notice it published on Monday.
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