Rush of ‘rumour’ arrests adds to China crackdown fears
Some see expanding attack on dissent as scores held and dozens of websites shut amid central government campaign to rein in social media
The central government's campaign against online "rumour mongering" appears to have widened further - with more reports of arrests, detentions and website closures yesterday - raising fears the moves could be a smokescreen to quell dissent.
At the same, the Ministry of Public Security announced the detention of two high-profile microblog users who have made damaging claims against public officials.
Fu Xuesheng, an IT entrepreneur in Shanghai, was detained for allegedly fabricating rumours against an official in Jinshan district, the ministry said. Zhou Lubao , who has frequently gone online to report problem officials, was also recently detained by Suzhou police "on suspicion of blackmail and fabricating information about a terrorist attack".
The actions come during the government campaign against the spread of online "rumours", which appears to have been gaining steam in recent weeks with the backing of state media. The government appears particularly concerned with outspoken internet celebrities, whose comments and critiques can instantly reach millions.
On Friday, Charles Xue Biqun - a well-known Chinese-American investor and outspoken social-media commentator better known by his pen name Xue Manzi - was detained by Beijing police for suspected involvement in prostitution.
The campaign has caused widespread concern that the government is using it as a cover to silence its critics, as social media has become the primary tool on the mainland for exposing government abuses and wrongdoing by public officials.
