The Washington Post reports on new efforts by the propaganda czars to control coverage of the upcoming NPC meetings:
Communist Party propaganda chiefs have issued a stern new warning to China’s broadcast executives, saying news reports and entertainment should promote socialist loyalty and soothe tensions as the country enters a sensitive political season.
The new guidelines were issued Jan. 12 at a meeting called by the party propaganda department; a written record of the gathering is currently circulating in Beijing.
The guidelines reflect a particular desire at senior levels of President Hu Jintao’s government to see a picture of harmony and contentedness in the broadcast media as the Chinese legislature prepares to meet next month and the Communist Party gets ready for its 17th national congress in the fall. [Full text]