Media controls for Chinese courts

By BBC World News
September 13, 2006

China has announced tighter controls governing communication between court officials and the media.

Special spokesmen would now release all information to journalists, state-run Xinhua news agency said, and leaks from court officials would be punished.

Officials would decide on releasing details of "sensitive cases", including ones involving foreigners, Xinhua said.

Correspondents say the move comes as China tightens its already rigid control over the country's media.

Xiao Yang, President of the Supreme People's Court, said that 65 official spokesmen had been appointed.

"With the spokesman system, the courts will adopt a more positive attitude towards news reporting and publicity work," Xinhua quoted him as saying.

"All the important information will be released by the spokesmen."

But cases involving foreigners, national security, ethnic groups, religion and "sensitive issues" would be examined before being released to the media, his deputy Cao Jianming said.

Those giving "improper" news to the media would be punished, he said.

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