United States Clamps Down On Chinese Media Outlets, Seeks Their Registration As ‘Foreign Agents’ 

The Justice Department in the United States has directed two Chinese state-run media outlets to be registered as “foreign agents” as the country seeks to weed out foreign influence in the aftermath of allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential elections.

It has been reported that Xinhua News Agency and China Global Television Network are the Chinese outlets that have been directed to be registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The consequences of such registration are significant as the media companies could lose their congressional press credentials, which would restrict access to United States lawmakers and officials.

The measure against the Chinese media outlets comes amidst a raging trade war between the two countries and an aggressive propaganda by the Chinese media outlets around the world including in the United States. While the foreign agent registration would not prevent the publication of content by the two Chinese outlets, they would be required to furnish details about their operations.