China
China is moving to reimpose strict censorship on journalists. Since 2003, when the propaganda minister called on the press to “monitor some problems in society,” reporters have been delving into official corruption and other embarrassing subjects. Apparently they went too far with that mission. The exposure of the attempted coverup of the SARS epidemic angered Communist leaders, as did the reporting on a huge toxic spill. A new draft law would slap hefty fines on news outlets that report on disasters or riots without government authorization. But Chinese analysts say it may be too late to stop the trend toward openness. Many newspapers are owned by local Communist parties, which are often at odds with the Politburo.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
How will China’s $1 trillion trade surplus change the world economy?Today’s Big Question Europe may impose its own tariffs
-
‘Autarky and nostalgia aren’t cure-alls’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Japan’s Princess Aiko is a national star. Her fans want even more.IN THE SPOTLIGHT Fresh off her first solo state visit to Laos, Princess Aiko has become the face of a Japanese royal family facing 21st-century obsolescence
