POPULAR GLOSSY CENSURED OVER ARTICLES ON CULTURAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 024311

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2031
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KCUL SOCI CH
SUBJECT: POPULAR GLOSSY CENSURED OVER ARTICLES ON CULTURAL
REVOLUTION, TIBET

REF: A. BEIJING 10507

B. 05 BEIJING 2479

Classified By: Political Section Internal Unit Chief Susan A. Thornton.
Reasons 1.4 (b/d).

Summary
--------------


1. (C) The high-circulation lifestyle magazine
Sanlian Life Weekly has been censured for recent
articles that crossed censors' redlines on the
Cultural Revolution and Tibet, Sanlian staff and other
contacts confirmed. The editor in chief has received
a reprimand and may be fined or fired. Journalists
said that while the incident does not presage a wider
crackdown aimed at Chinese magazines, editors will
likely be extra cautious in steering clear of
Propaganda authorities' sensitivities. In this
context, the Sanlian flap reflects the difficulty
reporters continue to face in attempting to publish
aggressive pieces on sensitive topics and has resulted
in some bitterness in Chinese newsrooms. End Summary.

Two Inflammatory Articles
--------------


2. (C) Sanlian's cover story for the October 30 issue
commemorated the 30th anniversary of the end of the
tumultuous Cultural Revolution. The dramatic cover
design showed a photo of Jiang Qing, Mao's wife,
standing trial after Mao's death as a member of the
Gang of Four. The words "Cultural Revolution"
appeared next to the picture. Sanlian's editorial
decision flew in the face of Propaganda Department
guidelines issued at the end of 2005 restricting
coverage of the Cultural Revolution (ref A) and other
sensitive anniversaries during 2006.


3. (C) The other offending article appeared in the
October 23 issue and dealt with the system for
appointing Tibetan leaders during the Yuan, Ming and
Qing dynasties, long a sensitive topic for the Chinese
Government. Cai Wei (protect),the author of the
Tibet piece, told poloff he is surprised and
disappointed that the article has been singled out,
especially because it appeared in the context of an
edition dedicated to travel in Tibet. Cai, who wrote
other material on Tibet for the issue, drove his own
car from Beijing to the region for a six-week
reporting trip. Moved by the experience, he said he
plans to write a book on the subject, although given
his recent trials, he said he doubts the manuscript
would survive the censors' scrutiny.

"Two Strikes and You're Out"
--------------


4. (C) With a circulation of about 1.2 million,
Sanlian Life Weekly is one of China's most popular
glossy news magazines. It caters to middle class,
urban readers and regularly publishes articles about
entertainment, sports and travel. Nonetheless, this
is not the first time that Sanlian has ignited
controversy. In early 2005, an article identifying
the income levels that qualify Chinese households as
middle class caused problems both for the magazine and
the National Statistics Bureau (ref B),which released
figures that served as the basis for the story. One
reason Sanlian's editor in chief, Zhu Wei, may receive
a harsh reprimand this time is because Propaganda
authorities are adhering to an unwritten "two strikes
and you're out" rule in terms of crossing content red
lines, said Zhou Qing'an (protect),a free lance
journalist who contributes regularly to The Beijing
News. If an editor allows one unsanctioned piece, he
or she receives a warning. The second time, penalties
can range from hefty fines to being sacked, Zhou said.


5. (C) Against this backdrop, publications continue
to be careful about their content. Most practice
self-censorship, said He Jiangtao (protect),a
journalist at Citizen Magazine, whose editorial
mission is to encourage the development of civil
society in China. For example, Citizen's publisher,
Guangxi Normal University Press, opted not to
distribute the September issue. The cover featured a
big portrait of Mao next to the words "Mao-style
Business Model." The related article discussed the
prevalence of strong Chief Executive Officers at
Chinese companies. Another article teased on the

BEIJING 00024311 002 OF 002


cover, entitled "How Many Chinese Are Not Tax
Evaders?", made the publisher nervous about attracting
unwelcome attention from the censors. Guangxi Normal
University Press printed galleys but declined to
distribute the issue because of its political
sensitivity, said He.

Censors Quiet on Some Sensitive Issues
--------------


6. (C) At the same time, the Propaganda Department
has taken a hands-off approach to certain sensitive
issues in recent weeks, said Wang Feng, an editor at
the influential bi-weekly Caijing Magazine. After the
October 9 North Korean nuclear test, Caijing expected
the Propaganda Department to issue strict coverage
guidelines on the incident. None came and Caijing ran
an article that Wang and other editors felt crossed a
redline by calling for a reassessment of China's
relationship with North Korea. The piece attracted no
negative comments from the authorities, Wang said.


7. (C) In addition, Caijing and other publications
have presented considerable coverage of the sacking of
former Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Liangyu. Some
articles have "gone over the top," but the censors
have remained mum, Wang observed. In both these
cases, Wang surmised that lack of guidelines was
calculated. Press excesses on North Korea signaled
official dissatisfaction with the DPRK's actions,
while undercutting Chen only drums up support for the
current leadership's anti-corruption campaign. (Note:
Wang added that his journalist friends in Shanghai
were celebrating the dismissal of Chen, who was
notoriously restrictive when it came to the media.
End Note.)

Whack-a-Mole
--------------


8. (C) Despite his recent run-in with the censors,
Cai of Sanlian said he is still enthusiastic about
journalism and his magazine. He said he expects the
editor Zhu to weather the current storm, adding that
the editorial staff remains dedicated to finding ways
to expand the space for aggressive reporting. In the
end, Cai said, it is the Propaganda officials
themselves who have the thankless job. "Being a
censor is like playing Whack-a-Mole," Cai remarked.
"Once you smack down one sensitive article, another
pops up somewhere else."
Randt