Mobile news apps face the whip in China

BEIJING, CHINA: China has punished a number of mobile news applications that lack qualifications as news services and ordered them to correct their behaviour within a certain time limit.

According to a statement issued by China's State Internet Information Office (SIIO), some mobile news apps provide news services without qualifications prescribed by internet regulators and even publish false information, reported Xinhua.

Some mobile news apps bragged that they carry news deemed inappropriate and columns "not suitable for public places" and also publish pornography and obscene information harming the physical and psychological health of youngsters, according to the statement.

The SIIO urged local authorities to rigorously enforce laws and regulations concerning mobile news apps and close those that refuse to be reined in.