South China Morning Post: County TV station broadcasts banned

Beijing has banned all county-level television stations from broadcasting their own programs in an apparent bid to strengthen its control over the media in the run-up to the 16th Communist Party Congress, scheduled for this autumn.

The move follows three successful attempts by the banned Falun Gong [group] to [tap] into local television broadcasts.

The policy took effect on Monday. It stipulates that all county government-run stations can only broadcast their own programs through newly established channels run by the provincial governments, said senior media official Li Bin, who works for the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, which oversees broadcasting policy.

County television stations must use China Central Television (CCTV) channels, or other channels run by provincial or municipal bodies.

Pan Huiming, vice-president of Southern Television - a provincial-level cable TV broadcaster - said the move was a part of the government's bid to put all county television stations under provincial broadcasters.

"The county television stations must change their roles from operators to content providers," Mr Pan said.

The policy comes during the countdown to the 16th Party Congress, when a central leadership reshuffle is expected to take place.

It also comes in the wake of a spate of broadcasting blunders at county- run channels. Since January, the Falun Gong has successfully [tapped] into three local cable TV stations and broadcast footage promoting the banned spiritual movement in Chongqing, Jilin and Heilongjiang.