China Media Should Boost Party Image, Official Says
Li Changchun, Politburo member and top media control official, comments on the role of Chinese media. From AFP:
In a speech on Sunday to mark Journalists’ Day, Li Changchun — who is seen as the country’s propaganda and ideology chief — praised Chinese reporters for “strengthening and improving” the party’s control over the flow of news.
“You have supported the party’s management of the media … and ensured that the power to lead news and propaganda has remained firmly in the hand of the party,” he said in the speech carried by the leading People’s Daily.
The 66-year-old Li, who is number five in China’s leadership hierarchy, said media outlets should work harder to expand their reach outside China and better publicise the nation’s rising political and economic clout.
“We must strengthen our exchanges and cooperation with overseas media in news broadcasts, human resources, information technology and industry development and use these platforms… to transmit China’s position and voice and expand the international influence of our news and propaganda,” he said.
