BEIJING—China is consolidating film, news, and publishing regulation under the powerful Chinese Communist Party propaganda department, strengthening Beijing’s grip over content as the country looks to bolster its “soft power” domestically and overseas.
The media shake-up, reported by Reuters on Wednesday and confirmed by state-run media Xinhua, signals tighter media control amid a broad crackdown on news, online content, and film that goes against Party values.
The shift also comes as China looks to merge ministries and create new regulators overseeing matters from banking to food safety in the biggest government shake-up in years.
The reorganization would mean the propaganda department would play a “special and important role in propaganda ideology and cultural entertainment,” said a notice seen by Reuters from the ruling Party’s Central Committee dated March 19.
Xinhua published the notice on March 21.
The body will take on powers over film, news, and publishing, previously held by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television, which was dissolved earlier this month as part of the wider reshuffle.
