China denies suppressing reporters’ rights

The Chinese government has denied that it is trying to curb the right of journalists to print critical stories under new guidelines announced this week, Reuters reported. An official from the media regulator on Thursday said the order had been misinterpreted and its real goal was to stop journalists abusing their jobs. The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television issued rules on Wednesday saying reporters could only publish critical stories if their employer had signed off on it, sparking accusations of censorship. The rules come as the government intensifies a crackdown on freedom of expression, both online and in traditional media.