Food safety stories must have 'authoritative' backing, it says
The Communist Party's propaganda department has tightened controls over mainland media reports on food safety after last month's allegations that Chinese-brewed beer contained excessive levels of formaldehyde.
The department said the string of articles damaged local brewers' sales and harmed their reputation.
'The media must communicate with related administrative departments to check facts and solicit opinions before releasing any news concerning food safety,' the department's Journalism Ideology Leadership Office said.
When it came to 'important food quality and safety issues, all reports have to be backed by information released by authoritative bodies', it said.
'The media is prohibited from using information from any unauthorised bodies or individuals. Media or journalists who go against this and who cause negative social impact will be strictly punished.'