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.
Since directives are sometimes communicated orally to journalists and editors, who then leak them online, the wording published here may not be exact. The original publication date is noted after the directives; the date given may indicate when the directive was leaked, rather than when it was issued. CDT does its utmost to verify dates and wording, but also takes precautions to protect the source.
State Council Information Office: Use only official wire copy from Xinhua in reporting on Bo Xilai’s placement under prosecutorial investigation. Do not put this news above the fold. Do not independently report or comment on the issue. (October 26, 2012)
国新办：对薄被检察机关立案侦查一事，只用新华社通稿，不放头版、导读，不作其他报道评论。
State Council Information Office: In reporting on the termination of Bo Xilai’s post as NPC deputy, use only official wire copy from Xinhua. Do not put this news above the fold. Do not independently report or comment on the issue. (October 26, 2012)
国新办：对薄被终止人大代表资格一事，只采用新华社稿，不上头版导读，不自行作其他报道评论。
Central Propaganda Department: Strictly adhere to Xinhua copy in reporting on the seventh plenum of the 17th Central Committee. Do not use any other sources. (November 1, 2012)
中宣部：有关十七届七中全会的报道，以及省部级以上干部人事变动，一律严格按新华社通稿刊播，不采用其他来源的消息。
The plenum, convened November 1-4, endorsed the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau’s decision in September to expel former Chongqing Party Chief Bo Xilai from the Communist Party. Read more about the proceedings from CDT.
Translation by Mengyu Dong.
