ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the meaning of freedom of the press, views of the news media’s propaganda role, protection of press criticism, provision for private newspapers, bounds for expression of opinion, and procedural issues related to adoption of a press law. Passage of a national press law for China, a cause originating among journalism students, educators, and researchers as well as practicing journalists in the late 1970s, had become an officially subscribed-to goal by the late 1980s. Conservative voices in the press law debate regarded the news media’s obligation to promote party and government policy, which by definition served the interests of the people, as primary, and advocated writing these propaganda duties into law. Some members of the press law groups in Beijing and Shanghai were adamantly opposed to a provision mandating the propaganda function. In China, some commentators on press law favored clear prohibitions on certain areas of content, while others sought a broader spectrum for debate.
