China ordered all employees at Chinese newspapers and periodicals to undergo examinations to ensure they meet “press and publication qualifications,” the General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) said Monday.
In the past, journalists and editors working at Chinese newspapers and periodicals had to take tests in order to receive journalist cards, which allowed them to working in the print media industry. Non-editorial employees, which did not previously need to undergo examinations, will now also be tested under new policies issued by the GAPP, which regulates the newspaper and periodical market in China. These new policies became effective December 1, 2005, but were not announced until Monday.