Straits Times
Beijing --- A recent spate of media rules aimed at cleaning up and filtering out foreign influences from local news and entertainment content, signals a progressive tightening of China's domestic media scene, according to media watchers.
The clampdown stems from heightened government nervousness over growing social instability in the country, and the role the media plays in stirring up feelings of dissatisfaction, they say.
Media scholar Yu Guoming of Remin University said: 'This is a sensitive time in China's development as the inequalities in Chinese society have reached an intolerable stage. This has led to conflicts.
'The influence of the media is growing stronger and so there is a thinking that if the media is not controlled, it could lead to more problems.'
Over the last two weeks, various media regulators have rolled out a barrage of measures to curb what some view as a threatening trend towards liberalisation in the local media.
The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, the country's broadcasting regulator, said it issued rules restricting local broadcasters' use of foreign news footage because some foreign news agencies and media 'have used a variety of methods to sell international news material to domestic TV stations, which have clear political intentions'.
The General Administration of Press and Publications barred foreign magazines from publishing Chinese versions to 'prevent disruption to the publishing market and a negative impact on the people'.
The Chinese edition of Rolling Stone Magazine was among the first casualties. The official reason given was that the US-based magazine, suspended in March after just one issue, lacked the proper publishing authority.
Yesterday, media regulators defended their latest rules, saying the government was simply protecting intellectual property rights.
'The aim is to guarantee the accuracy and reliability of news reports and to protect intellectual property rights,' said Mr Hu Zhanfan, deputy director of the broadcasting regulator, adding that China would continue to cooperate with foreign media.
Although China's media has always been strictly regulated, growing competition and increasingly discerning Chinese viewers who are demanding better news and entertainment coverage, have prompted bolder reporting.
Correspondingly, the government has at times appeared to soften its stance, even towards foreign media groups investing and operating more widely in China.
However, the past six months have been rife with signs of a return to a policy of strict control.
Several of China's feisty publications have been shut down and outspoken editors, including former Freezing Point editor Li Datong, were sacked. Online blogs airing views contrary to the official line were also yanked.
The oscillation of positions on media control is inextricably linked to which faction within the Communist Party is having the upper hand, said Professor Jiang Wenran of the University of Alberta in Canada.
'The recent clampdown is a sign that at this point in time, the conservatives, who favour tight control, appear to be winning,' he said.
This faction is suspicious of Western press influence on local media because of its proclivity for initiating public debate on controversial issues.
There are fears that the media could ultimately incite the disgruntled masses to rise up against the government in 'colour revolutions', a collective name for a series of related anti-government movements in post-communist societies, said Prof Jiang.
Last November, a senior media regulator disclosed that the role of the international media in such revolts was behind Beijing's decision to halt plans to allow foreign newspapers to print in China.
However, experts reckon the pressure on the media will ease up in future, especially when the pro-reform camp, which favours a more open media environment, gains the upper hand.
Said Prof Jiang: 'It will not be permanent also because the media in China will fight back.'
He added: 'Having a free press will actually help the Communist Party implement its goals for the country. Because a free press can help monitor social justice, corruption and other problems.'