Apr 17, 2013
Translated by Chi Yi

Media organizations in China will have tightened controls on the use of social media and be banned from using contents from overseas without permission.

The General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (GAPPRFT) said in a statement that journalists should make use of traditional media, news sites and social media to offer proper guidance of public opinion under the principle of focusing on positive propaganda. The statement also urges journalists not to quote or report online information before it’s verified.

People without journalist permits are barred from interviewing or reporting under the name of a news organization. And online news sites should not publish any reports from a news source, freelance writer or NGO before the facts are verified. 

News organizations are also required to file with authorities when setting up an official weibo account and make someone responsible for publishing information from authorities and deleting harmful content.  

The statement goes on to say that journalists who seek illegal profit through blackmail will be punished in accordance with the law. Those responsible could be banned from journalism for life. 

Links & Sources:
Southern Metropolis Daily - 新聞出版廣電總局將加強(qiáng)采編人員網(wǎng)絡(luò)活動(dòng)管理