Beijing's censorship apparatus has kept a tight grip on the mainland press by issuing a meticulous, 21-point regulation on taboo topics for Olympic coverage and sending provincial propaganda officials to keep watch over reporters.
According to mainland reporters, publications are forbidden to touch on a wide array of topics - ranging from the seat arrangements for heads of state at the opening gala to food safety across the country.
To prevent mistakes, deputy heads of provincial propaganda departments have been summoned to Beijing to hold daily meetings with the press from their provinces, according to mainland journalists.
According to the directive, which was issued last month, the mainland press is not allowed to report on any emergency that happens in competition without permission from the propaganda authorities.
The mainland press is banned from reporting on topics including the dispute over blocked overseas websites, the private lives of state leaders, religious services provided in the Olympic Village, food safety, and protests in the three parks set aside as protest zones.
The press is not allowed to use so-called 'racist' terms such as 'white' or 'black' people, and must refer to Taiwan as 'Chinese Taipei' and its people as 'those from the precious island'.
Most mainland press used only Xinhua reports about the stabbing death of Todd Bachmann, the US visitor attacked by Tang Yongming of Hangzhou . Others simply stayed away from the story.