Chinese authorities have launched a special campaign to crack down on illegal media organizations and fake reporters as a part of the country's efforts to enhance the reputation of its news media, according to a statement issued by the government on Monday.
The crackdown is jointly carried out by the General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) and the National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publication (NOAPIP)， and will last through the end of December, the statement said.
The campaign primarily focuses on illegally-published newspapers and those with serial numbers of foreign publication registered overseas, according to the statement.
The drive also targets media organizations operating without government approval, especially those established under the names of foreign media, as well as consulting firms disseminating illegal publications, the statement said.
Under Chinese publishing regulations, foreign publications must be licensed by the government. Foreign publishers, news agencies or editing offices that engage in unlicensed publishing, printing and distribution are considered illegal.
Targets also include falsified or inaccurate reports against the principle of objectivity in journalism, and without the base of facts. Fake journalists, including news media employees reporting without press cards, are also among the targets of the campaign, the statement said.
The NOAPIP urged relevant departments such as public security and publishing watchdog at all levels to conduct joint overhauling and confiscate all illegal publications.
The GAPP asked journalists to use news sources or content properly.
China's press watchdogs have been keeping a close eye on false reporting. Since the start of 2010, the GAPP has uncovered 160 reports that were fabricated or inaccurate, according to its spokesman.
The crackdown is yet another effort by the government to maintain the media's accountability by cracking down on illegal activities in press.
The GAPP issued a regulation earlier last week, stating that journalists are required to quote at least two sources in critical reports and are barred from altering news photographs or video clips in a way that distorts the authenticity of the material.
