- Ai Weiwei makes music debut with dark video for single "Dumbass" (2013-05-23) [CMP summary] ― Artist and celebrity dissident Ai Weiwei (艾未未), known for his provocative works of art making thinly veiled criticisms of Chinese society and politics, formally made his rock music debut this week with the video release of his single "Dumbass." The video, filmed by Australian cinematographer Christopher Doyle, directly references the nearly three months Ai spent in detention during a 2011 crackdown on political dissidents in China.
- Red Flag Journal: Would the West allow "flesh searches"? (2013-05-23) [CMP summary] ― The CCP's official Red Flag journal has run a series of articles recently calling for stricter controls on online public opinion in China. A piece posted to the website of Seeking Truth on May 21 answered a question from a reader raising concerns about the phenomenon of the "human flesh search" (crowdsourced investigation and often hazing of individuals online) and personal privacy. Would this sort of thing happen in the West, the reader asked Red Flag journal. The journal responded: "As you say, 'human flesh searches', which gather widespread web user participation in the search for and provision of information . . . have an immense power that is difficult to estimate. . . But 'human flesh searches' are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they can be advantageous in enforcing moral norms in society and carrying out supervision by public opinion [i.e., monitoring of power]; one the other hand they can harm the personal right to privacy and even cause the spread of online violence."
- Party journal: Chinese media must create cohesion, not division, as the country nears its "dream" (2013-05-21) [CMP summary] ― An article from the CCP's Red Flag journal posted to the website of Seeking Truth argues today that there are now two types of media in China: traditional media (print and broadcast) and internet-based new media. Both, says the article, must push for social cohesion. Now, as China reaches it's "dream," is not the moment to upset the boat, it says. "Right now, it would be difficult for any country or organization to use economic or military means to check and prevent the great sailing ship of China's revival. But there are certain powers that hope to use the internet as a means to bring about the collapse of China. The Party media and various new media, and the internet masses, must maintain clear heads -- they must not change directions or banners. The closer we get to the shores of our dream, the easier it is to run aground."
- Politburo member Meng Jianzhu calls on politics and law related media not to "lose political direction" as they seek "credibility" (2013-05-13) [CMP summary] ― In a speech run on the front page of today's Democracy and Rule of Law, a journal published by the China Law Society, China's new chief of politics and law, Meng Jianzhu (孟建柱), said that media dealing with politics and law (and falling under his area of jurisdiction) must work to increase their credibility and reach even as they strictly abided by "correct guidance of public opinion" (a term synonymous with political control of the press). Meng reminded those within the politics and law press of the rapid changes to Chinese society and the rise of online media. "Toward this, politics and law media must maintain clear heads, they must not lose their political direction . . . and they must steadily innovate their propaganda content and their propaganda methods."
- China National Radio Reporter Says Journalists Must Maintain "Correct Guidance" (2013-04-24) [CMP summary] ― Chen Liang (陈亮), a reporter for China National Radio's "Voice of China", said during an official forum on "journalistic social responsibility" on April 16 that the role of the media was not only to release information but also to "maintain correct guidance of public opinion." Guidance of public opinion is official Chinese Communist Party jargon emphasizing the need of the Party to maintain social and political stability through control of the media and public opinion.
- Yu Jianrong 于建嵘 Dear leaders: what would you do?
- He Yanguang 贺延光 Cyber-Maoism and the micro struggle session
- Zhan Jiang 展江 Where is the government’s sense of shame?
- Zhan Jiang 展江 Is high-brow culture for the masses?
- Yu Jianrong 于建嵘 Yu Jianrong on closing of migrant schools
- Yang Hengjun 杨恒均 This is Yang Hengjun
- Robert Erhart on Elections in Taiwan set the bar for China (2013-02-27)
- Barret Dolph on Web users attack press censorship (2013-01-17)
- Dani (ZaiChina) on Porridge in support of Southern Weekly (2013-01-10)
- JOHN on Open letter ups the ante in the Southern Weekly incident (2013-01-08)
- ltlee on Students speak out against censorship (2013-01-08)
- Dan Williams on Southern Weekly incident update (2013-01-08)
- Hua Qiao on The Emperors, No Clothes: a Party fable? (2013-01-06)
- AG King on A consensus for political reform (2013-01-05)
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