China’s President Xi Jinping’s administration is leaving no stone unturned to maintain the Communist Party’s hold over the country. The latest step in the process is the government’s pledge of fastening control over search engines and online news portals, and ultimately further strengthen its grip over Internet regulations.
China’s cyber sovereignty’ was one of the prime manifesto of Jinping’s election campaign, directed specifically to foster security across the country. He has now reclaimed the role of the ruling Communist Party in limiting and guiding online discussion. The five-year cultural development and reform plan which have been introduced by the Cabinet, demands for a perfection in laws and regulations concerning Internet.
The plan also encompasses a qualification system for people employed in the field on online journalism, and is carried forth by the the official Xinhua news agency.
Without providing much details, it said:
Strike hard against online rumours, harmful information, fake news, news extortion, fake media and fake reporters.
Xi is very particular about the facts that media must follow its party norms, present perfect guidance on public opinions and promote “positive propaganda”. The plan is a further elaboration of the existing internet laws which have already blocked some popular foreign websites like Google and Facebook.
Only last week the Government introduced some more strict rules for online news portals and network providers. Regulators are telling that such restrictions are necessary while taking into account the growing threats to the national security, and are being done in accordance with the law.
Talking deeper about the country’s cultural sector, the plan calls for the need of reinforcing and improving “positive propaganda”.
It added:
Strengthen and improve supervision over public opinion.
The plan is also calling for some more attempts to be incorporated into promoting China’s point of view and cultural soft power globally, without expending much details.
