China has prohibited local TV and radio stations from using international news coverage from foreign news services.
From now on, local broadcasters must restrict their coverage of overseas events to reports generated by state-run China Central Television and China Radio International.
The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, in a notice on its Web site, warned news broadcasters to "strengthen their political sensitivity" and avoid using footage taken from international satellite services, the South China Morning Post reported Thursday.
"Recently, some overseas news services and media have used various methods to sell international news material to domestic stations, and the reports have a clear political intention," the administration said.
The media watchdog said the rule was designed to "ensure a healthy and orderly development of international TV news reporting and maintain a correct propaganda direction."
Many local stations, especially those in large cities, have started to use footage and news reports supplied by foreign news services as competition for news demands more timely and diverse reporting angles.
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