Beijing threatens to shutter Sina's news site over inadequate censorship

The Cyberspace Administration of China has threatened to shut down the news service of Sina (SINA.NASDAQ), operator of a major Internet portal and microblogging service Weibo, on grounds of the firm inadequately censoring users and having “distorted facts, violated morality and engaged in media hype,” The Wall Street Journal reported, citing an online statement from the administration. The statement claimed the regulator had received 6,038 complaints against Sina for spreading of rumors, info related to violent terrorism, obscenity, pornography, fraud and heresy–all of which are watchwords for online content not sanctioned by the central government.