China is considering restrictions on non-public capital from entering the news media sector.
A China expert says this move would ruin private news agencies and independent journalists.
Regulators are suggesting to ban private capital from a wide range of the daily business activities of news agencies. Private capital could not be used to run news agencies’ pages, radio frequencies, channels, programs, official accounts on social media, republish news by foreign entities, as well as to hold forums, summits, and awards events in the industry, said state media China News Service.
Private capital would also not be allowed to cover live streaming major events related to “political views, public opinions, or values” in the sectors of politics, economy, military, diplomacy, health, sports, technology, and education.
The proposal bans would cover news services, journals, broadcasters, and internet news service providers.
Eleven years ago, on Jan. 1, 2010, China’s top press and publication authority “encouraged non-public capital” to enter the media sector in an orderly way, as well as partnering with state-owned publishing firms, and expanding their business in the foreign market.
Toronto-based China commentator Wen Zhao described the proposed list on his YouTube channel on Oct. 11 as a death sentence to China’s private news agencies and independent media workers.
“It’s a sign of a greater silencing operation for Chinese authorities in preparation of upcoming greater ’storms,'” Wen said, referring to potential future economic and social instability.
He particularly mentioned two influential private news organizations, Caixin Media and Guancha, which he claimed were under threat.
The expert said the new restrictions would be a heavy blow to the multimedia Caixin, which was founded in December 2009. It gained unrivaled fame for its exclusive, shakeup anti-graft investigations while it cooperated with the then head of China’s top watchdog, Wang Qishan, Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s closest ally during Xi’s first tenure.
However, the outlet began to face challenges as Xi gradually estranged Wang in the political arena, Wen said.
“Caixin has to give up its principle of independent news collection and editing if it wishes to survive,” said the expert.
Unlike Caixin, Guancha is a leftist, pro-Beijing website that promotes nationalism among domestic Chinese readers. However, it would also be at risk due to its non-public nature, according to the analyst.
In the latter part of August, the Chinese regime carried out a wave of clampdowns on individual journalists. Regulators disposed of 2,929 accounts, including 1,793 closed, and labeled those releasing negative economic news as “bad-mouthing those in the financial market,” according to state media reports.
