How corrupt is China?

As much as I complain about CTV spin-twins Lloyd Robertson and Craig Oliver, I suppose things could be worse.

How much worse, you ask?

China's national press regulator has banned journalists and newspapers from accepting and extorting money in return for favourable news coverage.

"In China, it is not uncommon for journalists to openly accept envelopes stuffed with cash at press conferences from companies seeking positive or prominent coverage," Reuters news agency reported from Beijing.

And it's not just the mainstream newsies you have to worry about. There appears to be an organised subculture of extortionists who use journalism as a cover.

"Fake" journalism by people who pretend to be reporters for the purpose of extorting money from corrupt officials and businessmen has been a feature of China's media scene for many years.

It's just one more brick in the massive wall that separates life in China from life as we know it in North America.

And it's a barrier that may never be surmounted.

Technorati Tags: China, corruption, politics