China Tightens Rules Covering News Broadcasts on Live Streaming Sites

(Beijing) — China's internet regulator has ordered live video streaming services plus those who use them to broadcast news or comment on current affairs to apply for accreditation — the latest government move to tighten scrutiny over online content.

As of Dec. 1, scripts of all news or news-related videos streamed live on apps and websites should be first reviewed by a news editor hired by the streaming service, according to a set of regulations — the first of its kind — issued Friday by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). The regulator has not announced requirements for news editors, and it is unclear whether they should be government-accredited journalists.