Leaders of more than 60 Chinese local newspapers have signed a
declaration on cracking down on fake news reports and upholding
authenticity of journalism.
The declaration says that all newsmen should persist in seeking
truth from facts, guard against fabricated news stories, and insure
authenticity of news sources. It also calls for a long-term
accountability system in this regard, according to the State Press
and Publication Administration.
The declaration aims to root out fabricated news in all
newspapers and rebuild credibility of media, said sponsors of the
declaration.
The declaration came after the exposure of a fabricated TV news
program about "cardboard buns" last month. The news story was made
up by a Beijing Television reporter who, according to police,
instructed four vendors of stuffed buns to add chopped waste
cardboard in the fillings.
Six Beijing TV workers were either reprimanded or sacked for
their roles in the scandal and Beijing TV issued an apology to the
public.
The State Press and Publication Administration has called on the
public to report news stories they suspect of being fake.
(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2007)