Let the history wars bloom (China, of course)
CHINA'S chief censors gathered at the conference room of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television several weeks ago to address the Government's leading propaganda concerns. Top of the list: getting history right.
China's communists are relaxed about letting go much of the economy, about the 137 million people with access to the internet, about letting people travel widely. But the Soviet experience has taught them that losing control of the past would be the step too far.
The officials who gathered at SARFT were urged to "watch the erroneous trend of denying the historic achievements of the party and comrade Mao Zedong". It was crucial, said the leading speakers, "to create the correct atmosphere for the 17th Communist Party congress, to promote the main melody", steadying the ship for the five-yearly meeting in October that will decide the next generation of national leaders. Publishers were severely criticised for letting writers "run the red light", getting too close to taboo topics.
Read entire article at Australian
China's communists are relaxed about letting go much of the economy, about the 137 million people with access to the internet, about letting people travel widely. But the Soviet experience has taught them that losing control of the past would be the step too far.
The officials who gathered at SARFT were urged to "watch the erroneous trend of denying the historic achievements of the party and comrade Mao Zedong". It was crucial, said the leading speakers, "to create the correct atmosphere for the 17th Communist Party congress, to promote the main melody", steadying the ship for the five-yearly meeting in October that will decide the next generation of national leaders. Publishers were severely criticised for letting writers "run the red light", getting too close to taboo topics.