Chinese censors provoke media outcry

Editing of paper's New Year message casts doubts on Beijing's promise of openness

Published on Jan 06, 2013

In a rare move, a group of Chinese journalists at Southern Weekly newspaper known for its edgy reporting are openly confronting state censors after the paper was forced to turn a sharp editorial calling for constitutional rule into a tribute praising the Communist Party in its reputed New Year’s Message. -- PHOTO: AP

By Ho Ai Li, China Correspondent

A clash between China's censors and two of the country's respected media outlets has cast doubts on the new central leadership's promise of greater openness.

The Guangzhou-based Southern Weekend saw its New Year message - which made the case for stronger constitutional rule in China - altered at the last minute by Guangdong's provincial propaganda chief.

The act triggered an online furore and a rare group protest by the paper's reporters calling for the resignation of the official involved, Mr Tuo Zhen, who reportedly had the message edited to sing praises of the Communist Party.

The original article titled "China dream, the dream of constitutionalism" had argued that "only by realising rule by Constitution, effectively checking power, can citizens vocally criticise authority".

Chinese censors provoke media outcry

Editing of paper's New Year message casts doubts on Beijing's promise of openness

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