i stock.com has published the following article saying……Many foreign investors are highly concerned about the ?regulatory risk? that Sina Weibo faces, worrying that the relatively open speech on its microblog may invite government intervention.
Here’s the article & link
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Yet, a recent ruling from a Chinese court indicates such regulatory risk may be overestimated as Weibo gains more official acceptance. In a recent August case, the Beijing No.1 Intermediate People?s Court described Weibo as ?a space for free expression? that is ?protected by the Constitution of the People?s Republic of China?, according to a report from Legal Daily, a state newspaper under the Commission of Politics and Law of the CPC Central Committee.
In the final ruling of a high-profile case of slander brought against Zhou Hongyi, chairman of Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd. (NYSE:QIHU) by Kingsoft Corp (3888.HK), the court said that critical expression on Weibo plays ?a supervisory role that is positive for society?.
Sina (NASDAQ: SINA) runs China?s most popular microblog, with registered users of more than 200 million in Q2 of this year. Keso, one of China?s top IT bloggers, posted in note this March a list of three reasons why the Chinese government will not shutter Sina Weibo. The reasons include govenment?s trust of Sina and its awareness of people?s needs for an outlet for views and opinions.
Although the comment from Beijing No.1 Intermediate People?s Court cannot been seen as an endorsement from China?s top Internet regulator, it represents views of from China?s legal institutions and provides a positive precedent for future court rulings.
The following is a translated excerpt of the ruling by the Beijing No.1 Intermediate People?s Court:
?Weibo as a space for free expression enables individuals to express personal feelings towards specific people or issues in a few words, thus providing a platform for the freedom of expression that is protected by the Constitution of the People?s Republic of China. At the same time, the expressions on Weibo are random and highly personal, sometimes even disturbing, which attracts attention from the fans online. And those critical expressions often play a supervisory role that is positive for the society. Considering its positive influence upon people?s well-being, every netizen should protect Weibo and try to avoid attacking others with offensive words, thus not making Weibo as a space for abuse and taunts. Otherwise, everyone can be hurt.?
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