A couple in Sichuan province have received prison sentences for defamation and cyber violence after spreading false information about the health and deaths of giant pandas to gain online traffic and economic benefit.

In March 2023, the couple, surnamed Bai and Xu, began spreading rumors accusing giant panda research centers of abusing the animals and exploiting them for profit, according to a report published on Monday by the Procuratorate Daily, a news outlet affiliated with the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

They capitalized on public concerns surrounding the death of Le Le and the reportedly emaciated condition of Ya Ya, two pandas that were on loan from China to the Memphis Zoo in the United States as part of a joint conservation program.

Using the online alias "Daliao Huanghou", the couple spread the rumors through short videos and livestreams. They also claimed that workers at panda research centers had violated rules and discipline, and they incited the public to file complaints online.

From March 2023 to May 2024, Bai and Xu held more than 180 livestream sessions and posted over 90 short videos, which garnered more than 545,000 views. Their videos received 46,000 likes, 9,521 comments and were reposted 1,245 times, the report said.

Their provocative content sparked heated online debates, with some followers directing insults toward research center staff members. Authorities launched an investigation after the situation escalated and concerns grew over the safety of the personnel involved. Bai and Xu were taken into custody in May last year.

The Dujiangyan city procuratorate found that Bai and Xu had fabricated defamatory content and incited online followers to attack and insult research staff. They also produced fake videos that led the public to file false reports and complaints, harming public interests and disturbing social order.

Criminal charges were filed in February, and a public trial was held in June at the Dujiangyan People's Court.

Bai was sentenced to one year and six months in prison, while Xu received a sentence of a year and two months. The verdicts have taken effect.