Media Censorship in China –
Council on Foreign Relations
http://www.cfr.org/publication/11515/


Media censorship in China has been deemed by experts as
China’s government‘s way of trying to use media controls
in its bid to maintain power while trying to balance the need
for more information. The Chinese law and media policies
have included increased media regulations
as well as the arrest and prosecution of journalists who they feel
is threatening their positions in the government by violating these rules
and revealing classified matter.


However, it has been said that China’s media is currently undergoing
a process of commercialization, leading to growing competition,
diversified content, and an increase in investigative reporting by
Chinese news agencies. Northeast Asia media expert Ashley W. Esarey
has stated that it is very likely that the Internet will play a role
in Chinese media reform, because its
“absolute control has proven difficult, if not impossible.”
This control can further be supported by the fact that
China has been ranked 163 out of 168 countries in its 2007
index of press freedom by the watchdog group
(Reporters Without Borders).


The government has stated that China’s constitution affords its citizens
freedom of speech and press but yet, the document contains
broad language that says Chinese citizens must defend
“the security, honor, and interests of the motherland.”
The government’s monitoring structure has therefore,
promoted an atmosphere of self-censorship to prevent
any information posted to be deemed as classified matter
and risk facing prosecution.


The authors have assumed that the government in China has absolute
control over the Chinese media and the people in China are actually
not willing to succumb to these strict rules and regulations
but they are at the same time, not willing to take actions or
make sacrifices to stand against these ‘unreasonable’ laws and policies.