TWO state media watchdogs yesterday issued warnings on the illegal use of foreign news material and overseas press affiliations.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) told the nation's TV stations that all international news reports must be provided by the China Central Television or China Radio International and that footage from foreign broadcasters was prohibited.

At the same time, the General Administration of Press and Publications issued a stern warning that it will crack down on illegal foreign print media "to prevent disruption to the publishing market and a negative impact on the people."

Yesterday's notice from the broadcasting regulator said some foreign news agencies and media "have used a variety of methods to sell international news material to domestic TV stations, which have clear political intentions."

The notice said local broadcasters must not use material from foreign sources in their international news programming.

The notice orders broadcast administrations at all levels to monitor local stations and correct any violations.

Meanwhile, a spokesman from the General Administration of Press and Publication said some unlicensed journalists have engaged in illegal publishing by misleading low-ranking officials with serial numbers from foreign publications registered overseas.

Under Chinese publishing regulations, foreign publications must be licensed by the State Council, China's Cabinet.

Among the illegal foreign publications shut down this year were the Baoding-based China Art Circle newspaper in Hebei Province in the north and China News, whose reporters engaged in "illegal activities" in east China's Jiangsu Province.

In addition, the Heilongjiang Province publication department last month closed the office of China Business, a newspaper claiming to be based in Hong Kong. The department confiscated a large number of newspapers and press cards issued by the China International Reporters Association.

An investigation found that the CIRA was an illegal organization and was not registered with civil affairs departments. But the press cards issued by the CIRA looked similar to those issued by the state press association.

(Source: Xinhua, 2006-04-14)