China's broadcasting watchdog has issued a notice banning local
broadcasters using news footage taken from foreign satellite
programmes and international news material acquired from channels
other than state-run.
The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT)
said in its latest notice that local television stations should
stick to international news reports provided by the state-run China
Central Television and China Radio International.
"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," the
notice said..
The notice said that local broadcasters should avoid using
international news material form foreign sources to make
international news programmes or special coverage about
international affairs.
It also bans television stations using news footage taken from
foreign satellite programmes broadcast with news reports from the
official Xinhua News Agency.
The notice demands broadcasting administrations at all levels to
check up on local broadcasters and require correction for any wrong
operations.
(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2006)