Xibei vs the influencer: why Beijing called time on a Chinese restaurant food feud
Communist Party mouthpiece says it’s worrying that online posts can create a crisis for a long-standing business
“This is typical of the internet era,” the Sunday commentary said. “A prominent internet influencer dominates online public opinion with sensational material while the exposed party responds [unskilfully] and platforms fan the flames ... to attract attention.”
The commentary said the losses were saddening but it might be even “more worrisome that social media posts can plunge a company that has operated for 38 years and runs hundreds of stores into such a crisis”.
Other People’s Daily commentaries called on companies to improve their public relations skills and influencers to conduct themselves properly online to help uphold social and economic stability instead of chasing traffic.
A Beijing-based political scientist, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said the commentaries represented “a U-turn” from earlier media tolerance or even sympathy for consumer rights.
“It shows that authorities are increasingly wary of the influence wielded by social media and influencers, pointing to even stricter regulatory oversight in the future,” he said.