From BBC News:
Chinese intellectuals have signed an open letter calling for a boycott of state television news programmes.
The letter says China’s Central Television (CCTV) has turned its news and historical drama series into propaganda to brainwash its audience.
The author of the damning letter told the BBC that the action should at least serve as a health warning to the susceptible public.
The authorities have been alarmed by the latest development.
An AP report includes a response from CCTV:
In a lengthy response faxed to The Associated Press, Wang Jianhong, deputy director of the CCTV general editing department, defended the broadcaster’s record, saying that CCTV had done “timely and sufficient reports” including last year’s Sichuan earthquake, the Tibetan riots and the ongoing tainted milk scandal.
