Public opinion guidance
Public opinion guidance (Chinese: 舆论导向; pinyin: Yúlùn dǎoxiàng) is a policy and slogan of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regarding its exercise of control over the media in an attempt to align public opinion with CCP ideology. == Definition == According to the China Media Project, public opinion guidance is normally defined to have the following aspects: "Major Party media must not print or broadcast content that in policy or spirit is at odds with the Party." "Media should actively promote the policies of the Party and facilitate public understanding of these policies." "If public opinion differs from the Party on any matters, the media are responsible for sufficiently guiding the public so as to bring their opinions in line with the Party spirit." "If news reports or propaganda appear concealing certain trends at odds with the aims of the Party, the media must act to prevent the possible spread of these trends." "News that is not in the interest of the Party must be rejected, and media must not be so bold as to publicize such news." "The media must ensure correct and unerring guidance of public opinion by thoroughly respecting the Party's discipline of propaganda." "The media must provide journalists with a foundation of expert knowledge and research in propaganda techniques in order to improve the results of propaganda guidance." According to the All-China Journalists Association, public opinion guidance refers to political parties and groups setting agendas, building frameworks, and providing opinions through mass media to guide the public toward the ideology they advocate and make public opinion flow in the expected direction.