Propaganda Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
Encyclopedia
The Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China , formerly known in English as the Propaganda Department, is an internal division of the Communist Party of China
in charge of ideology-related work, as well as its propaganda system
. It is not formally considered to be part of the Government of the People's Republic of China
, but enforces media censorship
and control in China
, even though no state law explicitly gives it such authority.
It was founded in May 1924, and was suspended during the Cultural Revolution
, until it was restored in October 1977. It is an important organ in China's propaganda system
, and its inner operations are highly secretive.
word xuānchuán (宣传) means publicity and spread of knowledge. Although sometimes translated as "propaganda
", it does not have the negative connotations of the English word and is commonly used in phrases such as chǎnpǐn xuānchuán (product promotion
). The Publicity Department of the CPC
engages in xuānchuán activities in a broad sense, not limited to political propoganda. For example, together with government agencies, the Publicity Department is responsible for the publication of National Fire Safety Xuānchuán and Education Program (全民消防安全宣传教育纲要).
and the General Administration of Press and Publication
. Its scope is to control licensing of media outlets, and to give instructions to the media
on what is and what is not to be said, especially about certain "delicate" issues, like Taiwan
, Tibet
, etc., that can affect state security
, or the rule of the Communist Party. Its central offices are located in an unmarked building near the Zhongnanhai
at 5 West Chang'an Avenue
, although the department has offices throughout the country at the provincial, municipal, and county level.
The editors-in-chief of China's major media outlets must attend the department's central office weekly to receive instructions on which stories should be emphasized, downplayed, or not reported at all. These instructions are not normally known to the public, but are communicated to media workers at the weekly meeting or via secret bulletins. However, since the rise of social networking tools such as Twitter
, Propaganda Department instructions have been leaked to the internet. Examples include "All websites need to use bright red color to promote a celebratory atmosphere [of the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic]" and "negative reports... not exceed 30 per cent".
Such directives are considered imperative, and are enforced by disciplines within the Party, as all media in China are required to be loyal to the Party, and are to serve as propaganda
organs for the Party in principle. Operational and reporting freedom has significantly increased in the Chinese media in the recent decade. However, open defiance against the Propaganda Department directives is rare, as dissenting media organizations risk severe punishment, including restructuring or closure. In 2000, a system of warnings was introduced for individual journalists, whereby repeat offenses can lead to dismissal. Chinese journalists disclosing Propaganda Department directives to foreign media may be charged with "divulging state secret
s."
One important way the Propaganda Department ensures that the media system remains well controlled is by ensuring that the boundaries of acceptable reporting are kept "deliberately fuzzy" in an effort to ensure that "news workers self-censor to a critical degree."
government-backed Freedom House
, the Central Propaganda Department is the most important institution for monitoring media personnel and controlling the content of print and visual media.
The Central Propaganda Department was reported as playing a key role in monitoring editors and journalists through a national registration system. In 2003, the CPD, along with the GAPP and the SARFT, required Chinese journalists to attend nearly 50 hours of training on Marxism
, the role of CCP leadership in the media, copyright law, libel law, national security law, regulations governing news content, and journalistic ethics prior to renewing press identification passes in 2003. The report states that media personnel are required to participate in "ideological training sessions", where they are evaluated for their "loyalty to the party." Further "political indoctrination" courses are said to occur at meetings and training retreats to study party political ideology, and the role of the media in "thought work".
It has been noted the CPD's monitoring system largely applies to news regarding politics and current affairs. 90 percent of China's newspapers consists of light stories regarding sport and entertainment, which are rarely regulated.
The leadership of the Propaganda Department is selected with guidance from President Hu Jintao
and the Politburo Standing Committee member responsible for the media, Li Changchun
, while local branches of the Propaganda Department work with lower levels of the party-state hierarchy to transmit content priorities to the media.
New departments and offices were set up in 2004 to deal with the growing demands of information control in the modern era. One, the Bureau of Public Opinion, is in charge of commissioning public opinion surveys and other relevant research.
Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
in charge of ideology-related work, as well as its propaganda system
Propaganda in the People's Republic of China
Propaganda in the People's Republic of China as interpreted in Western media refers to the Communist Party of China's use of propaganda to sway public and international opinion in favor of its policies. Domestically, this includes censorship of proscribed views and an active cultivation of views...
. It is not formally considered to be part of the Government of the People's Republic of China
Government of the People's Republic of China
All power within the government of the People's Republic of China is divided among three bodies: the People's Republic of China, State Council, and the People's Liberation Army . This article is concerned with the formal structure of the state, its departments and their responsibilities...
, but enforces media censorship
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
and control in China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, even though no state law explicitly gives it such authority.
It was founded in May 1924, and was suspended during the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
, until it was restored in October 1977. It is an important organ in China's propaganda system
Propaganda in the People's Republic of China
Propaganda in the People's Republic of China as interpreted in Western media refers to the Communist Party of China's use of propaganda to sway public and international opinion in favor of its policies. Domestically, this includes censorship of proscribed views and an active cultivation of views...
, and its inner operations are highly secretive.
Name
The ChineseChinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
word xuānchuán (宣传) means publicity and spread of knowledge. Although sometimes translated as "propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
", it does not have the negative connotations of the English word and is commonly used in phrases such as chǎnpǐn xuānchuán (product promotion
Product Promotion
Product promotion is the act of advertising a good or service with the short/long term goal of increasing sales. Many companies use different techniques to promote their products through a vast array of communication mediums...
). The Publicity Department of the CPC
Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
engages in xuānchuán activities in a broad sense, not limited to political propoganda. For example, together with government agencies, the Publicity Department is responsible for the publication of National Fire Safety Xuānchuán and Education Program (全民消防安全宣传教育纲要).
Function
The Propaganda Department has a "direct leadership (lingdao - 领导)" role in the media control system, working with other organizations like the State Administration of Radio, Film, and TelevisionState Administration of Radio, Film, and Television
The State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television is an executive branch under the State Council of the People's Republic of China...
and the General Administration of Press and Publication
General Administration of Press and Publication
General Administration of Press and Publication is the administrative agency responsible for regulating and distribution news, print and Internet publications in China. This include granting publication licenses for periodicals and books...
. Its scope is to control licensing of media outlets, and to give instructions to the media
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
on what is and what is not to be said, especially about certain "delicate" issues, like Taiwan
Political status of Taiwan
The controversy regarding the political status of Taiwan hinges on whether Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu should remain effectively independent as territory of the Republic of China , become unified with the territories now governed by the People's Republic of China , or formally declare...
, Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
, etc., that can affect state security
State Security
State Security can refer to:* general concepts of security agency or national security* Committee for State Security * State Security * State Security...
, or the rule of the Communist Party. Its central offices are located in an unmarked building near the Zhongnanhai
Zhongnanhai
Zhongnanhai is an area in central Beijing, China adjacent to the Forbidden City which serves as the central headquarters for the Communist Party of China and the State Council of the People's Republic of China. The term Zhongnanhai is closely linked with the central government and senior Communist...
at 5 West Chang'an Avenue
West Chang'an Avenue
West Chang'an Avenue is a major avenue in urban Beijing. It forms part of the extended Chang'an Avenue.-Location:It stretches from the intersection with Xidan in the west until Tian'anmen Square in the east....
, although the department has offices throughout the country at the provincial, municipal, and county level.
The editors-in-chief of China's major media outlets must attend the department's central office weekly to receive instructions on which stories should be emphasized, downplayed, or not reported at all. These instructions are not normally known to the public, but are communicated to media workers at the weekly meeting or via secret bulletins. However, since the rise of social networking tools such as Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
, Propaganda Department instructions have been leaked to the internet. Examples include "All websites need to use bright red color to promote a celebratory atmosphere [of the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic]" and "negative reports... not exceed 30 per cent".
Such directives are considered imperative, and are enforced by disciplines within the Party, as all media in China are required to be loyal to the Party, and are to serve as propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
organs for the Party in principle. Operational and reporting freedom has significantly increased in the Chinese media in the recent decade. However, open defiance against the Propaganda Department directives is rare, as dissenting media organizations risk severe punishment, including restructuring or closure. In 2000, a system of warnings was introduced for individual journalists, whereby repeat offenses can lead to dismissal. Chinese journalists disclosing Propaganda Department directives to foreign media may be charged with "divulging state secret
State Secret
State Secret is a 1950 British drama film directed by Sidney Gilliat and starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Jack Hawkins, Glynis Johns and Herbert Lom. It was released in the United States under the title The Great Manhunt.-Cast:...
s."
One important way the Propaganda Department ensures that the media system remains well controlled is by ensuring that the boundaries of acceptable reporting are kept "deliberately fuzzy" in an effort to ensure that "news workers self-censor to a critical degree."
Role in monitoring media personnel
According by a report from the U.S.United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
government-backed Freedom House
Freedom House
Freedom House is an international non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C. that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights...
, the Central Propaganda Department is the most important institution for monitoring media personnel and controlling the content of print and visual media.
The Central Propaganda Department was reported as playing a key role in monitoring editors and journalists through a national registration system. In 2003, the CPD, along with the GAPP and the SARFT, required Chinese journalists to attend nearly 50 hours of training on Marxism
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
, the role of CCP leadership in the media, copyright law, libel law, national security law, regulations governing news content, and journalistic ethics prior to renewing press identification passes in 2003. The report states that media personnel are required to participate in "ideological training sessions", where they are evaluated for their "loyalty to the party." Further "political indoctrination" courses are said to occur at meetings and training retreats to study party political ideology, and the role of the media in "thought work".
It has been noted the CPD's monitoring system largely applies to news regarding politics and current affairs. 90 percent of China's newspapers consists of light stories regarding sport and entertainment, which are rarely regulated.
Structure
A 1977 directive on the re-establishment of the Central Propaganda Department reveals the structure and organization of the "extremely secretive" body, according to Brady. The directive states that the Department will be set up with one Director and several deputies, and the organizational structure will be set up with one office and five bureaus. The office is in charge of political, secretarial and administrative work, and the five bureaus are: the Bureau of Theory, Bureau of Propaganda and Education, Bureau of Arts and Culture, Bureau of News, and Bureau of Publishing. The directive states that the staff will be fixed at around 200 personnel, selected from propaganda apparatchiks across the country in consultation with the Central Organization Department.The leadership of the Propaganda Department is selected with guidance from President Hu Jintao
Hu Jintao
Hu Jintao is the current Paramount Leader of the People's Republic of China. He has held the titles of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China since 2002, President of the People's Republic of China since 2003, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission since 2004, succeeding Jiang...
and the Politburo Standing Committee member responsible for the media, Li Changchun
Li Changchun
Li Changchun is the Propaganda chief of the Communist Party of China. He is the 5th ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, China's de facto top power organ, and has been a member since 2002...
, while local branches of the Propaganda Department work with lower levels of the party-state hierarchy to transmit content priorities to the media.
New departments and offices were set up in 2004 to deal with the growing demands of information control in the modern era. One, the Bureau of Public Opinion, is in charge of commissioning public opinion surveys and other relevant research.
Heads of the Department
- Li DaLi DaLi Da was a Chinese Marxist philosopher. Li Da left the Communist Party in the 1920s due to its reformism. However he maintained close ties with the Party and its underground apparatus. Li Da translated many European Marxist works into Chinese. Li Da's most important work was Elements of Sociology...
(1921–1922) as propaganda chief of the CPC Central Bureau - Cai HesenCai HesenCai Hesen was an early leader of the Chinese Communist Party, and a friend and comrade-in-arms of Mao Zedong. His courtesy name was Run Huan , and he was also known as He Xian , Zhe Ying , and Lin Bin...
(1922–1923) as propaganda chief of the 2nd Central Executive Committee2nd Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party of ChinaThe 2nd Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party of China sat from 1922 to 1923. This was the first central organ elected by the Party, but sessions of the Central Committee are by custom numbered according to the session of the National Congress at which they are elected... - Luo Zhanglong (May 1924 – January 1925) as propaganda chief of the 3rd Central Executive Committee3rd Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party of ChinaThe 3rd Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party of China was in session from 1923 to 1925.-Members:#Chen Duxiu#Cai Hesen #Li Dazhao#Tan Pingshan #Wang Hebo #Mao Zedong#Zhu Shaolian #Xiang Ying...
- Peng Shuzhi (February 1925 - March 1927) as director of propaganda
- Cai HesenCai HesenCai Hesen was an early leader of the Chinese Communist Party, and a friend and comrade-in-arms of Mao Zedong. His courtesy name was Run Huan , and he was also known as He Xian , Zhe Ying , and Lin Bin...
(April 1927 – October 1927) as acting propaganda chief of the 5th Politburo5th Politburo of the Communist Party of ChinaThe 5th Politburo of the Communist Party of China was elected by the 5th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in Wuhan in 1927.From this session, the CPC Central Bureau was renamed to CPC Politburo.-Members:#Chen Duxiu #Cai Hesen... - Luo Qiyuan (November 1927 – June 1928)
- Cai HesenCai HesenCai Hesen was an early leader of the Chinese Communist Party, and a friend and comrade-in-arms of Mao Zedong. His courtesy name was Run Huan , and he was also known as He Xian , Zhe Ying , and Lin Bin...
(July 1928 – October 1928) - Li LisanLi LisanLǐ Lìsān was an early leader of the Chinese communists, and the top leader of the Chinese Communist Party from 1928 to 1930, member of Polit Bureau, and later member of Central Committee.-Early years:...
(November 1928 – December 1930), as first head of the Central Propaganda Department - Shen Zemin (January 1931 – April 1931)
- Zhang WentianZhang WentianZhang Wentian . He is also known as Luo Fu . His names in Wade-Giles are Chang Wen-t'ien and Lo Fu.Born in Jiangsu, he attended engineering school in Nanjing and also spent a year at the University of California. He later joined the Communist Party and was sent to study at Sun Yat-sen University...
(April 1931 – December 1934) - Wu Liangping (January 1935 – July 1937)
- Zhang WentianZhang WentianZhang Wentian . He is also known as Luo Fu . His names in Wade-Giles are Chang Wen-t'ien and Lo Fu.Born in Jiangsu, he attended engineering school in Nanjing and also spent a year at the University of California. He later joined the Communist Party and was sent to study at Sun Yat-sen University...
(July 1937 – December 1942) - Lu DingyiLu DingyiLu Dingyi was a former leader of the Communist Party of China. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China and before the Cultural Revolution, he was credited as one of the top officials in socialist culture.-Biography:...
(January 1943 – December 1952), as head of the "Central Propaganda Commission" from 1943 to 1945 - Xi ZhongxunXi ZhongxunXi Zhongxun was a communist revolutionary and a State Councillor of the People's Republic of China. He is considered to be among the first generation of Chinese leadership.-Biography:...
(January 1953 – July 1954) - Lu DingyiLu DingyiLu Dingyi was a former leader of the Communist Party of China. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China and before the Cultural Revolution, he was credited as one of the top officials in socialist culture.-Biography:...
(July 1954 – December 1966) - Tao ZhuTao ZhuTao Zhu is a Former Member of the 8th Communist Party of China Politburo Standing Committee.-Biography:He was Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Committee and Commander of the Guangzhou Military Region....
(December 1966 – early 1967), the Propaganda Department ceased to function during the Cultural RevolutionCultural RevolutionThe Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
and it was replaced by units under the Gang of FourGang of FourThe Gang of Four was the name given to a political faction composed of four Chinese Communist Party officials. They came to prominence during the Cultural Revolution and were subsequently charged with a series of treasonous crimes...
and Kang ShengKang ShengKang Sheng , Communist Party of China official, oversaw the work of the People's Republic of China's security and intelligence apparatus at the height of the Cultural Revolution in the late 1960s. He was a close associate of Mao Zedong and remained at or near the pinnacle of power for decades... - Kang ShengKang ShengKang Sheng , Communist Party of China official, oversaw the work of the People's Republic of China's security and intelligence apparatus at the height of the Cultural Revolution in the late 1960s. He was a close associate of Mao Zedong and remained at or near the pinnacle of power for decades...
(November 1970 – December 1975) - Yao WenyuanYao WenyuanYao Wenyuan was a Chinese literary critic, a politician, and a member of the "Gang of Four" during China's Cultural Revolution.-Biography:...
(January 1976 – October 1976) - Geng BiaoGeng BiaoGeng Biao was a senior leader in Communist Party of China, and a leader in politics, foreign relation and military in China.Geng was born in Liling, Hunan Province of China, and was a child worker in a Lead-Zinc mine in Shuikoushan, south of Hengyang City in 1922. He joined Communist Youth League...
(October 1976 – October 1977) as head of the Central Propaganda Group - Zhang Pinghua (October 1977 – December 1978)
- Hu YaobangHu YaobangHu Yaobang was a leader of the People's Republic of China who served as both Chairman and Party General Secretary. Hu joined the Chinese Communist Party in the 1930s, and rose to prominence as a comrade of Deng Xiaoping...
(December 25, 1978 – March 12, 1980) - Wang Renzhong (March 12, 1980 – April 1982)
- Deng Liqun (April 1982 – August 1985)
- Zhu Houze (August 1985 – February 1987)
- Wang Renzhi (February 1987 – December 1992)
- Ding GuangenDing GuangenDing Guangen is a politician of the People's Republic of China and a former Minister of Railways of China.- Biography :Ding was elevated to Central Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China in 1987, and was expected to succeed more prominent posts. However, he was forced to resign due to a...
(December 1992 – October 24, 2002) - Liu YunshanLiu Yunshan-Biography:Liu worked in Inner Mongolia for 20 years, beginning with his appointment there in 1968.Mr. Liu is the Director of the Propaganda Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. But because of party seniority, he serves behind Li Changchun...
(October 24, 2002 – present)
See also
- Zhang ZhixinZhang ZhixinZhang Zhixin was a dissident during the Cultural Revolution who became famous for criticizing the idolization of Mao Zedong and the ultra-left...
- Propaganda in the People's Republic of ChinaPropaganda in the People's Republic of ChinaPropaganda in the People's Republic of China as interpreted in Western media refers to the Communist Party of China's use of propaganda to sway public and international opinion in favor of its policies. Domestically, this includes censorship of proscribed views and an active cultivation of views...
- Media in the People's Republic of China
- Thought reform in the People's Republic of ChinaThought reform in the People's Republic of ChinaThought reform in the People's Republic of China was a campaign of the Communist Party of China is to reform the thinking of Chinese citizens into accepting Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought from 1951–1952...
External links
- Propaganda Department in the News by China Digital Times. Website of the Propaganda Department