Grand corruption

China jails former newspaper group president for fraud

A Chinese court sentenced the former head of one of the country's best known financial newspapers to four years in prison on Thursday, closing a massive media corruption case as Beijing tightens control over the press.

Shen Hao, former president of 21st Century Media, was convicted of extortion and blackmail, "forced transactions" and embezzlement, the Shanghai Pudong New Area People's Court said in a statement on its official social media account.

The verdict comes at a time when China's government is exerting tighter controls over the media - already one of the most restricted in the world.

Shen is one of the 30 executives at the company, its website and related publications prosecuted by authorities earlier this year.