News: China vs. the press

In China, a group of former senior party officials attacked the government's restrains on the press in an open letter that was publicly released on Feb. 13, 2006.

In the group:

• Li Rui, secretary to Chairman Mao Zedong
• Hu Jiwei, former editor of the People's Daily, the Communist party's newspaper
• Zhu Houze, former party propaganda chief and a former newspaper editor.

According to the report I heard on NPR this morning, these men have a bit more freedom to — on occassion — express divergent views from the party line because they hold or have held high postions within the government.

Quotes from the open letter:

• "“History demonstrates that only a totalitarian system needs news censorship, out of the delusion that it can keep the public locked in ignorance."
• "Depriving the public of freedom of expression so nobody dares speak out will sow the seeds of disaster for political and social transition."

Links:
BBC News, "Party elders attack China censors"
Reuters via The Washington Post, "Mao aide joins battle against China censors"