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WASHINGTON, Apr 14, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Reporters Without Borders wants members of the World Trade Organization to oppose media restrictions just adopted in China.
"The credibility of China's integration into the WTO requires a change in its policies towards the media," Reporters Without Borders said Friday. "We call on (WTO) member countries, especially the United States, which President Hu Jintao is visiting this month, to raise this crucial issue within the WTO."
The group also urged WTO members to demand that the media sector should be included in the next session of Doha round negotiations.
"This reinforcement of protectionism by China is clearly aimed at increasing control of media content and is a new violation of press freedom," the group said.
RWP's statement follows word Thursday from the government-controlled Xinhua media agency that the General Administration of Press and Publications will hike controls over "illegal foreign publications" and freeze the granting of publishing licenses to joint ventures in the media sector.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
