Ex-media executive jailed 4 years for extortion

A high-profile former media executive was sentenced by a Shanghai court on Thursday to four years in prison for blackmailing companies by threatening negative coverage and forcing financial transactions.

Shen Hao, former president of 21st Century Media Co, was sentenced by the Pudong New District People's Court. On top of the jail time, he was fined 60,000 yuan ($9,266), and his illicit gains will be taken back.

In addition, the media group was fined 9.49 million yuan.