CHINA: Media told to downplay demise of party
CHINA: Media told to downplay demise of party
Nine-point circular instructs media to self censor over Shanghai boss sacking
South China Morning Post
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Mainland media have been ordered to play down the fall of Chen Liangyu and toe the party line in their coverage, with only official despatches by Xinhua allowed to be published.
The Communist Party's propaganda department has been quick to flex its muscles in the past two days, issuing detailed instructions to all news media, including websites and internet chat rooms, banning speculation about the high-profile sacking.
In an order issued yesterday, propaganda authorities said any coverage of the Shanghai scandal should strictly follow the Xinhua version. "No other unauthorised or sensational report is allowed. Exaggeration or speculation must be banned," it said in a circular.
The circular also urged mainland Web portals to censor online discussions and especially rumours about power struggles within the party.
"No posting should stir trouble by speculating on discord among incumbent central leaders, between the leaders and their predecessors, or between central leaders and local cadres," it said.
"All news media must abide by the disciplines regarding news reporting, ask for instructions when questions arise and submit timely reports on important findings."
Highlighting Beijing's sensitivity over the corruption scandal, in a nine-point circular issued on Monday the propaganda department urged mainland newspapers and news websites to play down Mr Chen's sacking.
While most mainland media ran Xinhua's brief Monday announcement on the removal of the disgraced Shanghai party boss, newspapers in that city were instructed to run the news prominently on their front pages.
The official Liberation Daily said Shanghai officials would unanimously support President Hu Jintao's leadership. The China Business Times reported that Mr Chen's younger brother and his driver had also been investigated.
Date Posted: 9/27/2006
Nine-point circular instructs media to self censor over Shanghai boss sacking
South China Morning Post
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Mainland media have been ordered to play down the fall of Chen Liangyu and toe the party line in their coverage, with only official despatches by Xinhua allowed to be published.
The Communist Party's propaganda department has been quick to flex its muscles in the past two days, issuing detailed instructions to all news media, including websites and internet chat rooms, banning speculation about the high-profile sacking.
In an order issued yesterday, propaganda authorities said any coverage of the Shanghai scandal should strictly follow the Xinhua version. "No other unauthorised or sensational report is allowed. Exaggeration or speculation must be banned," it said in a circular.
The circular also urged mainland Web portals to censor online discussions and especially rumours about power struggles within the party.
"No posting should stir trouble by speculating on discord among incumbent central leaders, between the leaders and their predecessors, or between central leaders and local cadres," it said.
"All news media must abide by the disciplines regarding news reporting, ask for instructions when questions arise and submit timely reports on important findings."
Highlighting Beijing's sensitivity over the corruption scandal, in a nine-point circular issued on Monday the propaganda department urged mainland newspapers and news websites to play down Mr Chen's sacking.
While most mainland media ran Xinhua's brief Monday announcement on the removal of the disgraced Shanghai party boss, newspapers in that city were instructed to run the news prominently on their front pages.
The official Liberation Daily said Shanghai officials would unanimously support President Hu Jintao's leadership. The China Business Times reported that Mr Chen's younger brother and his driver had also been investigated.
Date Posted: 9/27/2006
posted by 吴明士 at 10:57
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