The websites were found to have threatened to practice journalism and managed to force many entities and individuals to hand over money, state-run Xinhua news agency reported quoting officials of State Internet Information Office (SIIO).
The websites were operated under false names of government agencies or public welfare institutions and with fabricated press badges and claimed to employ accredited journalists.
"Such odious practices have caused serious harm," an official said.
Condemning such acts as severe illegalities, the official stressed that one must hold a press card issued by the General Administration of Press and Publication for news reporting.
