“티베트서 수천명 숨졌다” 글 올리면 처벌…중국, 대홍수 SNS 통제 강화

Chinese authorities have deemed online posts overestimating the damage caused by the large-scale floods in Tibet as "false rumors" and punished those responsible. Video footage and interviews from the disaster scene have been removed from online platforms, drawing criticism of the government's information control. On the 30th, the Tibet Public Security Bureau uncovered 10 instances of false online rumors about the Lhasa border checkpoint suffering from the floods, and issued administrative penalties to those involved.

One user claimed that "thousands of people were killed instantly" at the Lhasa border interrogation station. Other posts claimed death tolls of around 500, with 826 people missing. The police in Lhunze county also investigated two users who posted false rumors about the disaster on the 28th. China reported on the 30th that 16 people had drowned in Lhunze and 546 others had gone missing, including 261 foreign nationals.

Authorities allege that some users intentionally spread false information to attract attention and disrupt internet order. The Public Security Administration can impose fines or detention for intentionally disseminating false disaster or alert information. The Tibet Public Security Bureau stated that this crackdown is part of a broader "Purifying the Internet - 2026" initiative.

China also removes online posts detailing the disaster scene, while some domestic media publish interviews with locals and remove the articles shortly after. While Australian broadcaster ABC reports that survivors and residents in the flood-affected areas have spoken directly to journalists, the scale of the damage in Tibet remains difficult to verify.

Chinese state media cover the response of authorities, focusing on rescue efforts and road repairs. Correspondents on the ground report the government's actions but fail to expose the grievances or issues faced by local residents. Tibetans are barred from independent foreign journalists entering the region. Unlike other parts of China, foreign journalists must obtain separate government permission to visit Tibet. ABC applied for permission to visit Tibet after the disaster but was denied.