First posted at Journalism, Journalists and the World
Thanks to China Digital News for the latest update on directives about what media are and are not allowed to run.
Here are some samples. And you will notice, that with each of these items, there is nothing that says the information is false. The central authorities just don’t want the information to get out.
You sure don’t want anyone to know that maybe a party picked candidate is not qualified.
Candidates for Representative at People’s Congress
February 21, 2011
From the State Council Information Office: Please delete all posts related to the item “Candidates for Representative at the People’s Congress Have No Legal Standing” found on any website or interactive space, including micro-blogs, blogs, online forums, breaking news services, and text messages.
The last thing a central government concerned with “stability” wants is any discussion of higher fuel costs.
Fuel Price Increases
February 19, 2011
From the State Council Information Office: For news on the fuel price increases issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, all websites are requested to close commentaries and news postings. Delete all related discussions on platforms such as micro-blogs, blogs, online forums, instant message services, and text messages.
I’m not sure what “leather milk” is but it sure upsets the central censors.
“Leather Milk”
February 18, 2011
From the State Council Information Office: Please immediately remove all news related to “leather milk” from the front pages of websites. Interactive spaces such as online forums, blogs, micro-blogs, and text messages are forbidden from hyping and discussing this incident.
And my favorite that many in the U.S. would like to see implemented in the States. (But that pesky First Amendment keeps getting in the way.)
WikiLeaks
February 17, 2011
From the State Council Information Office: It is not permitted in any form to repost or report information related to the distorted reports and malicious hype found on WikiLeaks that implicate the diplomacy, exchange reserves and investments, and other sensitive problems. All on-line interactive spaces are to thoroughly search out this type of information and immediately delete it.
Again, note that there is nothing in the “orders” that imply or state flat out that any of the information is false or misleading. The only thing the government wants is for no one in China to hear about these things.
Oh, and “jasmine” continues to be blocked by the Internet censors.
