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| Monday, February 12, 2007 |
| Chinese media and restrictions: China initiates points based penalty system against ‘muck-raking' print media |
The Propaganda Department of China's Communist Party has launched a points-based penalty system in an effort to contain the increasing incidents of muck-raking the print media.
Media outlets will be allocated a dozen points that the propaganda department, and the government media regulator can deduct one, three, six or all 12 at a time, a Hong Kong newspaper quoted unnamed sources as saying.
It was not clear how the severity of a perceived infringement would be judged, but penalties would range from warnings and dismissals to closure of the publication.
The Communist Party of China has always exercised control over the media. After some relaxation, control has been tightening in recent years.
The propaganda officials regularly issue lists of banned topics or coverage guidelines for certain subjects.
Later in 2007, the Communist Party of China holds its five-yearly congress, at which leaders are reshuffled and policies are set.
"The new system is a clear message that the top leadership wants a peaceful social environment ahead of the 17th Party Congress and next year's Olympic Games," the newspaper quoted a senior state media executive as saying.
The media point system is similar to China's driver licence point system whereby points are deducted for violations.Labels: media |
| posted by a correspondent @ 9:14 PM |
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