News footage from international organisations may not be used by local broadcasters according to China’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT).
According to SARFT Chinese channels can only use news content provided to them by government-run broadcaster CCTV.
“Recently, some foreign news agencies and media have used a variety of methods to sell international news material to domestic local TV stations, which have clear political intentions,” says a report by the official Xinhua news agency about the SARFT notice.
Further, the new regulations mandate that local historical productions involving “major or sensitive issues” must be cleared by the government. Plus, television dramas should avoid covering political, military or religious themes.
Who wants to be a television programme buyer in China!
