GagWatch

The Melon Farmers report China has barred new foreign television channels and plans to step up censorship of imported programsin an attemmpt to reassert control over popular culture in the country.

China has greatly liberalized media markets over the past three years and satellite broadcasters such as News Corp. and Viacom have moved in. But that’s prompted concern among China’s leadership about safeguarding “national cultural safety,” China’s Culture Ministry announced on its website on Wednesday.

The ministry announced it would not allow the import of new newspapers and magazines, electronic publications and audiovisual products. It will also put restrictions on Chinese publications using work from foreign sources.

It promised content guidelines for foreign satellite channels that already have licences, though it did not describe how these guidelines would be administered.

Last year, the government prohibited the use of English words on television and foreign programs that promote “western ideology and politics.” It also banned programs about crime or violence in prime time in order to promote a “healthy environment” for children.

Newspapers were forbidden from reporting on stories about changes of leadership or political reform unless the source was the official news agency Xinhua.

Last month, the government banned Chinese television and radio stations from forming partnerships with foreign companies or leasing channels to foreign companies.

As part of its new initiative Chinese authorities will crack down on illegal satellite dishes.

Communist leaders are concerned about material that is spreading “politically and socially dangerous” influences. Regulators frequently cite foreign culture as a source of unwholesome influences.

Beijing still controls which movies are allowed into the country, and what content is allowed on domestically owned stations. But it is increasingly difficult to control what Chinese people read because of the growth of blogging and of internet sites that spread information not generally available in China.

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