The following examples of censorship instructions, issued to the media and/or Internet companies by various central (and sometimes local) government authorities, have been leaked and distributed online. Chinese journalists and bloggers often refer to those instructions as “Directives from the Ministry of Truth.” CDT has collected the selections we translate here from a variety of sources and has checked them against official Chinese media reports to confirm their implementation.
September 28
From the Central Propaganda Department: Do not report, comment on, or hype up the series of vicious murder cases in Guiyang county of Hunan province or the homicide case in Botou city of Hebei province.
中宣部：系列恶性杀人案
中宣部：请各媒体对湖南省桂阳县系列恶性杀人案和河北省泊头市重大杀人案不报道、不评论、不炒作。September 27
From the Hunan Provincial Propaganda Department: All Hunan media outlets are not to hype up the serial murder case in which the killer ate four of his female victims.
湖南：桂阳村民骗杀吃掉4个女性
湖南省委宣传部：桂阳村民骗杀吃掉4个女性一事，本省媒体不得炒作。From the Central Propaganda Department: Regarding Shanghai Metro crash, all media outlets are to only release news from authorities. Do not send reporters to conduct interviews, release comments, or re-post news gathered from cyberspace. No scrolling news or live broadcasting is allowed. Strengthen control over microblogs. Do not irresponsibly release unreliable statements.
中宣部：上海地铁追尾事故
中宣部：上海地铁追尾事故，各媒体以最权威信息发布为准，不派记者采访，不评论，不转网络信息。广电不滚动、不连线。加强微博管理，不发布不负责任信息的言论。September 26
From the Propaganda Department of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee: In order to demonstrate the superiority of Chinese socialist democracy and people as the master of the country, all media outlets are to actively publicize local election for representatives of the People’s Congress. Please note: News reports regarding independent candidates or election workshops are strictly prohibited.
北京：基层人大选举
北京市委宣传部：为彰显我国社会主义民主政治、人民当家作主的优越性，各媒体均需加大力度宣传今年基层人民代表大会代表的选举。请注意：那些公民独立候选人、公民选举工作室等有关消息一律严格禁止报道。September 25
From the Central Propaganda Department: Regarding the fatal incident on train K256 of the Shanghai Ministry of Railways in which a passenger died after an altercation with crew members, all media outlets are not to conduct independent reports but to wait for the standard copy from the Ministry.
From the Jiangxi Provincial Propaganda Department: Regarding the train K256 fatal beating that happened in Jiangxi Province, all local media outlets are not to participate in hyping up the incident.
中宣部：K256次列车乘务人员和旅客冲突
中宣部：关于上海铁路局K256次列车上乘务人员与乘客冲突，一名乘客被打死事件，媒体不要擅自报道，以铁道部的口径为主。江西省委宣传部：深圳开往合肥的K256次列车在本省境内发生打死人事件，本地媒体不得参与炒作。
September 23
From the Propaganda Department of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee:Regarding the accidental beating of the Luoyang tourist incident, all media outlets are not to release follow-up reports or hype up the incident.
北京：洛阳青年旅游被误当上访者押回打伤
北京市委宣传部：关于洛阳青年旅游被误伤一事，各媒体不得再跟进报道和炒作。September 22
From the Henan Provincial Propaganda Department: All Henan media outlets are prohibited from reporting or re-posting the Luoyang sex slave case.
河南：洛阳性奴
河南省委宣传部：省内各媒体禁止报道，转载洛阳性奴一事。September 20
From the Hubei Provincial Propaganda Department: Regarding news about the “man executed by firing squad found ‘resurrected’” nine years later,” no re-posting or reporting will be allowed.
湖北：死囚枪决九年后“复活”
湖北省委宣传部：对《死囚枪决九年后“复活”》的新闻不转载，不报道。From the Fujian Provincial Propaganda Department: Regarding Zhang Shichao’s tortured-to-death case, no reports are allowed for any media outlets.
[On September 16, Zhang was taken by the local Procuratorate officers for “assisting investigation” and died after 70 hours of being held in the office. His family believed that he was tortured to death.]
福建：张世抄被刑讯逼供致死
福建省委宣传部：关于南平张世抄被刑讯逼供致死案件，媒体不予报道。From the Propaganda Department of the Jinan Municipal Party Committee: All media outlets are prohibited from reporting this morning’s incident in which a security guard of Jinan Central Hospital was attacked and injured by a patient.
山东：保安人员被砍伤
山东济南市委宣传部:今天上午,在市中心医院一患者将保安人员砍伤一事,媒体不得报道。September 16
From the Central Propaganda Department: Do not comment on or hype up the radical anti-Japan activities during the September 18 Incident anniversary.
中宣部：九一八涉日行为
中宣部：9.18前后对社会各界涉日的过激行为不报道，不评论，不炒作。September 15
From the Central Propaganda Department: Do not report the Wang Qinghua/Wang Jiayun murder case. Do not report the Ran Yunfei case. Only positive reports of Party committees and government employees are allowed.
中宣部：王庆华、王家运，冉云飞和公务员
中宣部：对王庆华、王家运杀人案不报道；对冉云飞案不报道。对党委政府的工作和公务员队伍要组织正面宣传。September 14
From the Central Propaganda Department: Regarding the Dong Zhanyi and Chen Xi subversion of state power cases, no reports will be allowed.
中宣部：董占毅、贵阳陈希颠覆国家案
中宣部：对董占毅、贵阳陈希颠覆国家案一律不准报道。September 12
From the Central Propaganda Department: All media outlets are not to report or hype up the Kaifeng Jews problems.
中宣部：河南开封犹太人后裔
中宣部：各媒体对河南开封犹太人后裔问题不报道，不炒作。September 11
From the Central Propaganda Department: All media outlets are to cautiously report China’s recognition of Libya’s National Transitional Council with a good grasp of appropriate wording and scale. Do not post unnecessary comments.
中宣部：利比亚过渡委员会
中宣部：各媒体，对于我国承认利比亚过渡委员会一事要慎重报道，把握好相应的提法和尺度。不过多评论。From the Central Propaganda Department: Do not hype up or comment on the email exchanges between a Canadian MP and a Xinhua female reporter.
中宣部：加拿大议员和新华社女记者
中宣部：加拿大议员和新华社女记者关系问题不炒作，不评论。September 10
From the Central Propaganda Department: Do not hype up the shipwreck incident in Shaoyang, Hunan.
中宣部：湖南邵阳沉船
中宣部：湖南邵阳沉船事件不炒作。From the Central Propaganda Department: Do not continue on hyping Li Tianyi’s assault case.
中宣部：李双江之子打人案
中宣部：李双江之子打人案不要再继续炒作。September 5
From the State Council Information Office: All microblogs, social media sites, and all other interactive spaces are to immediately delete all posts and pictures related to the “Eighty-thousand Bro. of the Central Party School.” All online media outlets are not to conduct follow-up reports. Immediately remove any posts that have already been published.
[Eighty-thousand Bro. is a “second-generation rich” who showed off his luxurious lifestyle in cyberspace and bragged about a meal that cost him 80,000 Yuan while attending the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China. A large part of his real identity and family background information were later uncovered by netizens’ human flesh search engines.]
国新办：中央党校八万哥
国新办：请各地微博，社交媒体和其他互动环节检查删除关于”党校八万哥“的贴子和图片，所有网络媒体对此事不得跟进报道，已经发表的稿件立即撤下。September 2
From the Central Propaganda Department: Do not report or comment on the recent change in supervision of the Beijing News and Beijing Times, which now are administrated by Beijing Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department. Only standard reports from the Department are allowed to be used.
中宣部：新京报与京华时报
中宣部：关于新京报（光明日报、南方日报主办）、京华时报（人民日报主办）改为北京市主办主管一事不评论，不报道。统一采用北京市委宣传部提供的信息。From the Central Propaganda Department: All media outlets are not to hype up the recent news story of Zhangbei county’s Party Secretary [Li Xuerong], in which thousands of people showed up and saw him off for his transfer.
[A music video titled “County Party Secretary” was also dedicated to Li Xuerong. Read more on Online Music Video Sings Praises Of County Party Secretary, from ChinaSmack.]
中宣部：张北县万人送书记
中宣部：关于近日河北省张北县万人送书记一事，媒体不得炒作。September 1
From the Central Propaganda Department: Attention to media at all levels including online media: Carefully guide public opinion over the revision process of the Criminal Procedure Law. Do not hype up negative comments.
中宣部：刑诉法修订
中宣部：请各级媒体，包括网络媒体做好有关刑诉法修订的舆论引导，对于负面评论不要炒作。August 30
From the Central Propaganda Department: Weather reports on the Central TV Station are to downplay the Southwest severe drought. Do not use “disaster” during reporting; use “dry weather” instead.
中宣部: 西南旱情
中宣部: 中央电视台，气象新闻关于西南出现严重干旱要尽量淡化。报道中不要出现“灾”这个词，可以用“旱情”。From the Central Propaganda Department: All media outlets are to carefully guide public opinion over the PX project [chemical plants]. The China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association will soon be publishing relevant articles on its website, and all metropolitan newspapers are required to re-post them.
中宣部：PX项目舆论引导
中宣部：各地媒体需做好PX项目舆论引导工作。近日中国石化工业联合会将在其网站刊登有关文章，要求都市类媒体转载。August 23
From the Central Propaganda Department: All media outlets are not to publicize or discuss topics regarding the home-purchase restrictions. Do not hype up relevant comments.
中宣部：房地产限购
中宣部：媒体不要去做有关房地产限购的宣传和话题讨论，有关限购的言论不准炒作。August 20
From the Central Propaganda Department: All media outlets are not to hype up negative news regarding the China Charity Federation or charities in general. Supervise constructively. Use only authoritative information released from relevant department’s investigation results.
中宣部：中华慈善总会
中宣部：各地媒体不再炒作中华慈善总会在内的我国公益组织的负面新闻。要建设性监督，待有关部门调查后再发布权威信息。From the Central Propaganda Department: All media outlets are not to conduct follow-up reports on the fake State Administration of Taxation document incident.
[A fake document titled “State Council State Administration of Taxation, Notice 47, 2011” was widely reported by Chinese media including Xinhua News Agency and mainstream newspapers. Read more on Big oops leaves state media red-faced, from China Media Project.]
中宣部：国税总局47号文件事件
中宣部：各媒体不得再跟进报道国税总局47号文件事件。From the State Council Information Office: All media outlets are not to report the fight between the Bayi Rockets and the Georgetown Hoyas. Control needs to be strengthened over all online sports channels, military channels, and websites. All online discussion forums, microblogs, and interactive programs are not to hype up the incident. All related pictures and video clips are to be promptly removed.
国新办：八一篮球队与美国篮球队打架斗殴
国新办：一律不报道有关八一篮球队与美国篮球队打架斗殴的消息，加强相关网站体育频道 、军事频道及网站管理，论坛、微博等互动栏目不炒作，及时删除相关图片、视频等信息。August 18
From the Guangdong Provincial Propaganda Department: Regarding Guangzhou-based independent candidate Liang Shuxin, no reports are allowed for any Guangzhou media outlets.
广东：梁树新参选人大代表
广东省委宣传部：对于广州市民梁树新参选人大代表的活动，本省所有媒体不得报道。August 17
From the Central Propaganda Department: Due to the increasing complexity of public opinion, all media outlets, including all subordinate newspapers and news websites, are to immediately cool off on reporting U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke or Biden’s cheap lunch in Beijing. Do not release any commentaries.
中宣部：美国驻华大使，副总统吃饭事件
中宣部：鉴于最近国内外舆论形势复杂，各地方媒体包括子报子刊及所属新闻网站对美国驻华大使，副总统吃饭事件等相关报导要迅速降温，不发任何评论。August 15
From the Propaganda Department of the Qingdao Municipal Party Committee: According to instructions from the superiors, all media outlets are prohibited from reporting the incident during this morning’s forced demolition at #9 Shantou Road, in which a former military officer used gasoline set himself on fire.
山东：转业干部自焚
青岛市宣部：根据领导意见，今天上午部队在汕头路9号进行强迁时，一转业干部泼汽油将自己点燃，各媒体均不得报道。August 11
From the Central Propaganda Department: All media outlets are not to report or hype up the Wang Lihong case.
中宣部：王荔蕻案
中宣部：媒体对王荔蕻一案不报道不炒作。August 9
From the Hunan Provincial Propaganda Department: Do not conduct follow-up reports regarding the mass relocation of Jiehe village residents due to flood discharge in Qionghu neighborhood of Yuanjiang, Hunan, in which the flood discharging zone turned out to be sold by the local government as economic development zones.
湖南：泄洪区变成开发区
湖南省委宣传部：关于益阳沅江市琼湖街道办界和村民服从泄洪搬迁未安置，泄洪区政府卖地变成小开发区一事不得再报道。From the Hunan Provincial Propaganda Department: The illegal college school fee incident has been dealt with accordingly by the Hunan Department of Education. All media outlets are not to conduct follow-up reports. It is strictly prohibited to hype up the incident.
湖南：大学违规收费
湖南省委宣传部：本省一些大学违规收费一事省教育厅已有相应处理，媒体不得再跟进报道，严禁炒作。August 3
From the Central Propaganda Department: All media outlets are to carefully handle reports on land grabs. Do not question the legitimate procedure of demolition; do not offer public support to those who ask for unreasonable compensation; do not report forced demolition related incidents involving suicide, self-harm, or large groups. Do not hype up the very few extreme cases. No collective or linked reports will be allowed.
中宣部：征地拆迁报道
中宣部：各地媒体需稳妥把握”征地拆迁报道，对依法依规开展的正常拆迁“不要质疑”，对漫天要价不要给予舆论支持，对暴力拆迁及拆迁中发生的“自杀、自残、群体性” 事件不报道，对 极端个案不炒作，不搞集纳式和链接式报道。July 30
From the Propaganda Department of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee:
Attention to all Beijing media outlets and the Office of Internet Police:Regarding the signal system of Beijing Subway, which is said to be developed by the same company involved in Wenzhou high speed train crash, no reports or comments are allowed. The Beijing Internet Administration Office is responsible for regulating public opinion on cyberspace.
北京：北京地铁信号系统
北京市委宣传部：市属各新闻单位，市网警办：
有关北京地铁与甬温重大交通事故所涉车站使用同一公司研发的信号系统一事，不报道，不评论。
请市网管办做好网上舆情调控。July 25
From the State Council Information Office: All articles related to the Wenzhou hi-speed train crash are to be kept on back pages; no relevant articles are allowed on front pages. All news centers are to keep only one report of the most recent development. Do not release any commentaries. No recommendation of related topics on any forums, blogs, or microblogs will be allowed. Immediately remove all relevant posts and blogs that have already been recommended on front-pages. Any posts, blogs, or microblogs that are unable to meet the requirements based on today’s order must be deleted. All websites are to immediately carry out and implement this order within the next half an hour. Review of implementation is required after another half an hour.
国新办：温州动车事故
国新办：有关温州动车事故的所有稿件，各网站立即压至后台，首页一条也不许留，新闻中心只保留一条最近动态，不得刊发任何评论。论坛、博客、微博不得推荐相关话题，论坛类网站速将首页、频道首页已推荐相关贴文、博文撤下，不符合今天下午通知要求的贴文、博文、微博要坚决删除。各网站立即落实本通知要求，半小时内执行到位，半小时后复查落实情况。July 29
From the Central Propaganda Department: Due to the increasing complexity of the domestic and foreign public opinion on the 7.23 Wenzhou high-speed train crash, all media outlets including all subordinate newspapers and news websites are to immediately cool off on reporting the accident. No additional reports will be allowed except positive ones or information released by authorities. Do not publish any commentaries.
中宣部：7.23甬温线特别重大铁路交通事故
中宣部：鉴于7.23甬温线特别重大铁路交通事故，境内外舆情趋于复杂，各地方媒体包括子报子刊及所属新闻网站对事故相关报道要迅速降温，除正面报道和权威部门发布的动态消息外，不再做任何报道，不发任何评论。July 22
From the Henan Provincial Propaganda Department: Regarding the bank run at the Dengfeng Rural Credit Cooperatives and possible similar incidents in the future, all media outlets are not to release relevant reports. Please reply upon the receipt of this notice.
河南：登封农信社挤兑事件
河南省宣传部紧急通知：对登封农信社发生的挤兑事件，以及可能发生的类似事件，各媒体（包括子报子刊网站）一律不得报道。收到请回复。July 18
From the Central Propaganda Department: Do not exaggerate or hype up the so-called “four public hearing giants” of Chengdu.
[Netizens found that not only the same four people have been showing up at most of public price hearings held in Chengdu, but they have all voted for price hikes as well. There have been debates over whether these four people are “professional” public price hearing attendees.]
中宣部：成都四大听证金刚
中宣部：所谓“成都四大听证金刚”一事不渲染不炒作。From the Central Propaganda Department: A group of assassins attacked a police station today in Hetian, Xinjiang. Media outlets are not to conduct independent reporting. It is strictly prohibited to hype up the incident.
中宣部：新疆和田袭警事件
中宣部：今天中午新疆和田市一公安派出所遭一伙暴徒袭击事件，各地媒体不得擅自报道。严禁炒作。July 6
From the Yunnan Provincial Propaganda Department: Do not re-post reports from non-Yunnan media outlets regarding Dang Xiyan* of Kunming. All media outlets are to wait for orders from the Organization Department of Provincial Party Committee.
*Dang Xiyan was involved in a sex scandal in which she was believed to be a mistress of her supervisor. Dang got four unreasonable promotions within three years.
云南：昆明市高新区党熙燕
云南省委宣传部：不转载外省媒体报道昆明市高新区党熙燕报道。等省委组织部结果。From the Propaganda Department of a Municipal Party Committee: Urgent notice regarding preventing the spreading of negative news:
Attention to all websites:
According to the orders from the superiors, all websites are to promptly block negative information and keywords related to rumors of the former President Jiang Zemin’s death. Please immediately run a thorough checkup upon receiving this notice. All negative information is to be strictly prevented from spreading.
某市宣传部：蛤蟆病危
某市宣传部网络管理处“关于防止负面信息传播的紧急通知”：
“市内各门户网站：
根据上级要求，各网站应及时做好涉及”国家领导人XX负面信息和关键字屏蔽工作。请接到此通知后立即进行全面清查，严防相关负面信息传播。July 5
From the Henan Provincial Propaganda Department: Regarding the independent mayoral candidate Cao Tian, foreign forces are participating with ulterior purposes and attempting to overthrow our government. Department of National Security and Department of Revenue are currently investigating this case. No media outlets in Henan Province will be allowed to re-post or release any reports related to Cao. The leadership of Henan Mobile News are subject to censure and further investigation for re-posting reports from the Beijing News.
河南：曹天竞选市长
河南省委宣传部：关于曹天竞选郑州市长一事，有国外势力参与、妄图颠覆政权，有不可告人之目的，目前安全、税务部门已经开始对其进行调查。省内各媒体不得转发、刊发关于曹的任何报道。对此前转发新京报报道的河南手机报领导，予以严厉批评，并接受进一步调查。
