From China Media Project:
As a general rule the atmosphere for Chinese media grows more restrictive in the run-up to key political sessions. With China’s crucial 17th Party Congress just two months away (specific dates yet undetermined), propaganda authorities are readying themselves to keep a tight grip on public opinion. The tools at their disposal: abstract theoretical communiqu√©s and concrete orders and bans.
In dense Communist Party jargon, propaganda department head Liu Yunshan (Âàò‰∫ë±±), also a politburo member, reminded party members in a speech last month (published in the latest issue of Building the Party magazine and excerpted on the Web yesterday) that, “As the 17th Party Congress approaches, publicity preparation in anticipation [of the session] also enters a new phase…” [Full Text]
