China’s NPC mulls first press law: official  

中国正研究传播立法 首部新闻法或将诞生

Liu Binjie, the former director of the defunct General Administration of Press and Publication. (Photo: China News Service)

(ECNS) -- A law to promote media development within a legal framework is under discussion by China's National People's Congress (NPC), according to a senior official.

Liu Binjie, the former director of the defunct General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP), said the law would end the current imbalance between traditional media and new media.

"New media outlets have been carrying eye-catching stories with relatively more independence and rapidly expanding influence than traditional media outlets, which are still being managed under strict rules that limit their impact," he added.

Liu said a press law will also help define legal, moral and social boundaries for media; allow media more discretion in their reporting; and better protect the intellectual property rights of news products.

The Fourth Plenum of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held in late October made "rule of law" a priority. This emphasis also applies to the media industry, according to Liu.