China’s anti-graft watchdog announced an investigation into Cai Fuchao, a retired top media censor, on Wednesday. Cai, 75, is suspected of severe violations of discipline and laws. As the chief of China’s press and broadcaster administrator, Cai oversaw publishing, TV, radio, film, and online content nationwide, enforcing censorship policies across the media landscape.
Cai had been deputy head of the ruling Communist Party’s propaganda department and head of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television. He retired from all official posts in 2018. The investigation is part of a years-long anti-corruption campaign initiated by President Xi Jinping, which has seen millions of officials investigated and scores of senior officials purged.
Background
Cai’s probe follows similar cases within China’s propaganda apparatus. In 2025, Zhang Jianchun, a deputy propaganda chief, was sentenced to 14 years in prison over corruption. Lu Wei, another ex-deputy propaganda minister and internet czar, also received a 14-year sentence.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
