Access to court news tightened

China has tightened new rules regarding the release of court information to the media. Under the new system, unauthorized court officials are forbidden from releasing information about cases involving national security, ethnic groups, religion, important emergencies, unspecified 'sensitive issues' or cases involving foreigners. Instead, a designated court spokesperson will be responsible for releasing court news, reports The Wall Street Journal.

The new rules do not specify what penalties court employees may face for unauthorized disclosures. The new rules are meant to enhance the transparency of judicial work, according to Xiao Yang, president of the Supreme People's Court.