09/16/2013
China Threatens Jail Time For Posting 'Rumors' Online
China authorities are waging a war on “online rumors” by threatening jail time for posting false information on social media or blogs. While the primary concern is citizens who speak out against the government, China has added defamation charges for actions that would fit the U.S.-definition of cyberbullying — when a post causes someone to commit suicide or self-harm.
■Class discussion: Find which other nations that try to stop their citizens from criticizing their governments on the Internet. What has happened some of those government critics? What could happen to someone in the United States who posts something defamatory on the Internet? How should we deal with cyberbullying?