National Energy Administration head Liu Tienan in Japan, 1998. Caijing editor Luo Changping has reported him for disciplinary inspection.
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.
Central Propaganda Department: With regards to reports of the investigation of officials for breach of discipline in all locales, strictly publish and broadcast according to the contents issued by supervisory bodies. Do not put this news on the front page or draw readers to it. Do not investigate, report, or comment voluntarily. (December 3, 2012)
中宣部：最近关于各地官员违纪被查处的报道，严格按监察部门发布内容刊播，不上头版和导读，不自行采访报道和评论。
Central Propaganda Department: On the morning of December 4, the People’s Court of Gaozhou City, Maoming Municipality pronounced judgement on Tan Shizhi with regards to his involvement with gangsters. If reporting on his case, please publish and broadcast according to the wire copy provided by the court, and do not play up the story. (December 4, 2012)
广东省委宣传部：4日上午，茂名高州市人民法院对谭世治涉黑团伙案进行宣判，如报道请按法院提供的通稿刋播，不炒作。
Central Propaganda Department: We reiterate that it is not permitted to voluntarily report or comment on the investigation of officials for suspected breach of discipline. In particular, do not produce collections of links [to stories]. When publishing wire copy from authoritative bureaus, do not put these reports on the front page or lure readers to them. (December 4, 2012)
中宣部：重申有关官员涉嫌违纪被查及相关问题不得自行报道评论，尤其不得作集纳式链接，刊发权威部门通稿不上头版导读。
Central Propaganda Department: Regarding personnel changes and the disclosure of personal finances of officials at the provincial level and above, without exception employ Xinhua wire copy, do not change headlines, and do not independently produce other reports or commentary. (December 4, 2012)
中宣部：对省部级以上官员工作岗位职务变动以及官员财产申报相关问题，一律采用新华社通稿，不改标题，不自行作其他报道评论。
Central Propaganda Department: Public security organs are currently investigating the case of a former employee of the Jiading branch of Huaxia Bank in Shanghai, surnamed Pu, who is suspected of secretly selling third-party financial products. All media are to cease reporting and commenting on this case for the time being. (December 4, 2012)
中宣部：华夏银行上海嘉定支行离职员工濮某涉嫌私卖外单位理财产品一案，公安机关正在侦查中，各媒体暂不再作报道评论。
Central Propaganda Department: In covering international issues, especially those involving Japan and North Korea, strictly adhere to the approach of Xinhua wire copy and declarations by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Do not voluntarily investigate or comment. (December 4, 2012)
中宣部：对国际问题特别是涉日、朝的报道严格按新华社通稿和外交部对外表态口径刊播，不自采自评。
Central Propaganda Department: All media will not republish, report, or comment on the online rumors concerning National Energy Administration director Liu Tienan. (December 6, 2012)
中宣部：对网传国家能源局局长刘铁男相关问题，各媒体不报道不评论不转载。
Through several Weibo posts, Caijing Magazine Assistant Editor-in-Chief Luo Changping reported Liu to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection for fabricating his academic credentials and forming business alliances while in office. She also posted images corroborating documents, such as Liu’s certificate from his studies in Japan [zh]. The National Energy Administration states that Luo’s accusations are “pure slander and rumor-mongering” (纯属污蔑造谣) [zh].
Central Propaganda Department: In reports concerning the Party and national leaders, strictly and without exception publish and broadcast in accordance with Xinhua wire copy. Do not quote from foreign media or online sources. (December 6, 2012)
Central Propaganda Department: Sichuan Party Secretary Li Chuncheng has accepted investigation by the Commission for Discipline Inspection. Except for printing and broadcasting Xinhua wire copy, do not play up the news, and do not employ other sources of information. (December 6, 2012)
中宣部：四川省委副书记李春城接受纪检部门调查，除按新华社通稿刊播外，不炒作，不采用其他来源信息。
