Chinese journalists reminded they risk trial if they breach regulator's state-secrets ban

China’s media regulator has warned journalists that they may be put on trial if they share state secrets during their career – a reminder that the long-standing state secrets law will be enforced.

The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television’s (Sarft) warning came just after it forbade journalists from disclosing – online or to overseas media – information they obtained throughout the course of their work, a move that sparked fears about a tightening grip on the media.

”Media employees would be held accountable and the suspects would be handed over to judicial departments if they breach regulation and disclose information that cause the leaking of [state] secrets,” an unnamed official earlier told Xinhuanet.com during a question-and-answer session to clarify the Sarft restriction.

Journalists are required to sign confidentiality agreements with the media organisation they work for, according to a directive issued at the end of last month but which was only published on the regulator’s website earlier this week.

The directive requires journalists and media groups to enhance control over “all kinds of information and materials they obtain during their work”, which include “state secrets, commercial secrets and information that has not been publicly disclosed”.

Mainland journalists cannot pass on such information to domestic and overseas media and websites, or work as special correspondents or special freelancers for foreign media, the unnamed official said.

Journalists would face penalties from their employers, he added.