Tag Archives: Restrict

China To Restrict News That Promotes ‘Western Lifestyles’.

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China will crack down on social and entertainment news that promotes improper values and “Western lifestyles”, the country’s broadcasting regulator said, the latest effort at censorship in an already strictly regulated media environment.

 

President Xi Jinping has embarked on an unprecedented drive to censor media that do not reflect the views of Communist Party leaders. Authorities have already issued rules limiting “foreign-inspired” television shows and put tougher penalties on the spread of rumors via social media.

 

Social and entertainment news must be dominated by mainstream ideologies and “positive energy”, the official Xinhua news agency said late on Monday, citing the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT).

 

News content should not make improper jokes, defile classics, or “express overt admiration for Western lifestyles”, the regulator said in a circular, according to Xinhua.

 

“They should also avoid putting stars, billionaires or Internet celebrities on pedestals”, and not advocate overnight fame or hype family disputes,” Xinhua said.

 

China’s legislature this week is also reviewing a draft law that would require film industry workers to maintain excellent “moral integrity”, after recent cases in which celebrities had been arrested for drug offences and prostitution, Xinhua said in a separate report.

 

Xi has been explicit that media must follow the party line, uphold the correct guidance on public opinion and promote “positive propaganda”.

 

The term “positive energy” is a catch phrase that has been favored by China’s propaganda and internet authorities under Xi, referring to content that is morally uplifting and patriotic.

 

The government aggressively censors the internet, blocking many foreign sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, which it deems a potential challenge to party rule or a threat to stability. Regulators say such controls are necessary in the face of growing security threats, and are done in accordance with law.

 

Despite government controls, foreign television shows are widely available in China as illegal downloads or on pirated DVDs. Many are also available legally online through distribution deals with domestic websites.

Area Council Polls: Police Restrict Movement In Abuja

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The Federal Capital Territory commissioner of police, Wilson Inalegwu, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement in the FCT between 7am and 4pm on April 9.

This is contained in a statement by the FCT Police Command spokesman, Anjuguri Manzah, in Abuja on Thursday.

The statement said the restriction was to allow free and fair conduct of the rescheduled FCT Area Council elections.

“This is part of the security measures adopted by the Command to ensure safety and security during the elections,” Mr. Manzah, an assistant superintendent of police, said.

The statement said the restriction excluded vehicles on essential duty.

It assured FCT residents that the command had strategically deployed personnel and logistics to provide adequate security during the polls.

The statement further enjoined residents to be vigilant and cooperate with the police and other security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and activities.

NAN reports that the chairmanship and councillorship elections earlier scheduled for March 19 was rescheduled for April 9.

Credit: NAN

FG To Restrict Business Class Travels To Ministers, Others

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The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) has accepted the recommendations of the Efficiency Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance to restrict Business Class travel to Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Chairmen of Federal Government Committees, as well as Chairmen and Chief Executives of Parastatals and Agencies.

The Efficiency Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance is collaborating with OSGF and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), to review the provisions of some extant government Circulars on Overhead Expenses one of which is on Travels.

Efficiency Unit is the initiative of the current Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and was set up to engender transparency and reduce government’s large expenditure through procurement in the various ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government.

The restriction of Business Class travel to Ministers and others was made known in a press statement by the SA Media to Minister of Finance, Festus Akanbi.

According to the statement, the Efficiency Unit, aside from its negotiation for discounts with local and international airlines also recommended other measures for reducing the government’s large expenditure on travels to the OSGF.

The statement read: “These include the need to restrict Business Class travel to Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Chairmen of Federal Government Committees, as well as Chairmen and Chief Executives of Parastatals and Agencies.  In the past, some government officials who should have been on Business Class usually travelled First Class, while many others travelled Business Class instead of Economy.

“The second recommendation bordered on the need to reduce the frequency of travels by ensuring that Board and Committee events such as meetings, workshops and conferences in Nigeria are held in locations where the institutions or persons participating in the event are domiciled.  Furthermore, such events should for the most part be held in Nigeria but where this is not possible, the prior approval of the Secretary to the Federal Government should be secured.”

It further stated that, “in line with the present administration’s commitment to reform public expenditure, the OSGF accepted the recommendations in full and has accordingly issued a Circular recently to effect the changes.  The buy-in and prompt reaction of the OSGF is an attestation of the common resolve by government to its change mantra and the spirit of collaboration among government institutions and officials.

“It is estimated that Travel Expenditure will drop by about 20% if the provisions of the new Circular issued by the OSGF are fully implemented.  A 20% reduction in Air Travel Expenditure, using the figure of N69.417 billion incurred on Travels in 2014 will result in a cost-cutting of N13.88 billion.  Such large savings from Travel, which should ordinarily not be a major expense item for the government, will become available for investment in capital projects such as roads, power, railways and public health facilities.”

“The savings are expected to be even larger when discounts secured from Airlines are added. Already, 11 Airlines have offered discounts on local and international routes for travel by MDAs while negotiations are on-going with others.  The discounts received so far vary across routes and airlines and range from 7% to 50%. The Efficiency Unit expects the implementation of the price discounts secured from Airlines to start in May 2016 when the Agreements would have been signed with the Airlines and MDA staff would have been trained and equipped for effective administration of the new process.”

“Other Overhead Expenditure items reviewed by the Efficiency Unit are those relating to Refreshments and Meals, Honorarium and Sitting Allowance as well as Advertising and Publicity.  Measures that will standardise spending on these items, cut costs and promote transparency on these items have been recommended to the OSGF and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, from which further cost-cutting on Overhead Expenditure is to be achieved.”

Credit: DailyTimes

Election: Police Restrict Movements On Bayelsa Waterways

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The Police in Bayelsa said on Friday that movement of some water transportation facilities and river craft activities would be restricted during the governorship election in the state on Saturday.

It also announced that movement of persons, motor vehicles and tricycles would be restricted from the hours of 6am to 6pm on the election date.

This is contained in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Asinim Butswat, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, in Yenagoa.

It said that the restriction was from 7 p.m. on Friday to 7 a.m. on Sunday, adding that boats fitted with 200 horsepower engine and above was not permitted to move during the period.

“Any person or group of persons who violates this order will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

“Likewise, movement of persons, motor vehicles and tricycles will be restricted d on the election date, from the hours of 6am to 6pm.

“Only those on essential services will be allowed to move,” it said.

It urged the electorate to go out and exercise their franchise “by casting their votes for candidates of their choice.”

Credit: Nation