Thursday, October 06, 2005

China/Foreign Media/New Rules

The Los Angeles Times/Orlando Sentinel: Foreign media hits 'brick wall' in China

"Last year, prospects looked good when China moved toward loosening rules on foreign media investments. But in recent months, Liu and other leaders of the Chinese government have clamped down on foreigners' participation in China's burgeoning media industry, declaring last month that they won't allow more foreign television channels and will tighten their grip over the 31 satellite broadcasters in China."

"Chinese officials say they want to "safeguard national cultural security." But some analysts think the restrictions are aimed at keeping advertising revenue in the hands of state-controlled and domestic media enterprises. Even as Beijing moved to limit foreign companies, it has encouraged the development of private domestic media companies."

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