China Tightens Controls On Foreign Media
Julie Farby - All Headline News Staff Writer Shanghai, China (AHN)-China tightened its control over the distribution of news by foreign agencies Sunday, further restricting international access to the already tightly regulated Chinese media market. The regulations, which affect The Associated Press, Reuters and other foreign news agencies, give Xinhua broad authority over foreign news agencies, requiring them to distribute stories, photos and other services solely through Xinhua or entities authorized by Xinhua. China has long sought to limit foreign distribution of news inside the country while exercising harsh limits on domestic media, including long prison terms for violations. The new rules appeared designed to end any uncertainties over the government's determination to prevent foreign news businesses from operating in the Chinese mainland, with Xinhua saying the rules were meant to "promote the dissemination of news and information in a sound and orderly manner." In a statement, the news agency said, "Xinhua News Agency has the right to select the news and information released by foreign news agencies in China and shall delete any materials mentioned in the items above." Xinhua said any violation would be met with a warning and it would "demand rectification within a prescribed time limit, suspend its release of specified content, suspend or cancel its qualifications for releasing news and information in Ch |
