Sina banned from publication over online-porn accusations

Sina Internet Information Service Co, one of China's Internet giants, has been suspended from engaging in Internet publication and audio and video dissemination for allegedly running pornographic content online, the National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications said on Thursday.

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"We have revoked the two licenses of Sina.com, including those for Internet publication and network distribution of audiovisual programs, and fined the company up to 5 million yuan ($800,000)," said Zhou Huilin, deputy director of the office.

The decision on Sina's licenses will be reviewed after the company removes all offensive material and revises its practices, Zhou said.

According to the Beijing Public Security Bureau, the people from Sina who are responsible have been detained for further investigation.

Sina allegedly published as many as 20 obscene articles in its reading channel and posted four Internet audiovisual programs spreading obscene information, said Shen Rui, director of the Internet law enforcement department under the Beijing Cultural Market Administrative Enforcement Bureau.

He said that some of the articles that were investigated included 500 chapters, and the number of clicks was more than 1 million, which brought serious negative social impact and seriously harmed the physical and mental health of minors.

In addition, Sina was also suspected of illegally providing Internet audiovisual program services, Shen said.

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