More than 197 people have been punished in China reportedly for their part in spreading rumors in about the deflated value of the Chinese stock market shares and the recent explosions at a chemical warehouse in the northern city of Tianjin, according to Interntional Business Times. The warehouse explosion is responsible for at least 150 deaths, a number that could increase, as 23 are still missing. The recent stock market figures show that Chinese market shares are down 30 percent in value.
165 social media accounts have been closed under China's campaign against online rumors. The rumors in question have included an inflation of the number of deaths in the Tianjin explosion, with rumors claiming 1300 perished (in reality about 150), and also a rumor that one Chinese national had committed suicide over the stock market fall. These were deemed to be false.
Journalist Wang Xiaolu was among the arrested, and in bizarre fashion, admitted last Sunday to spreading fake information and also admitted to writing a fake report on the Chinese stock market giving his own assumptions and without verifying his sources, according to NPR.
China's Ministry of Public Security said Sunday that the accused have expressed remorse, according to the Washington Street Journal, and admitted to having "misled society and the public, generated and spread fearful sentiment, and even used the opportunity to maliciously concoct rumors to attack [Communist] Party and national leaders."
