Chinese journalists, including those working in radio and tv, have been banned by regulators from sharing information with overseas media or publishing it anywhere except where they are employed.

The decision has been criticised for stifling media freedom in the country.

The ban comes at a time when some Chinese journalists have been accused by the government of abusing their positions.

The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television has barred accredited Chinese reporters from providing information to overseas news outlets, blogs, microblogs, forums or seminars.

According to the Administration, such acts “disturbed the normal news order” and hurt the country’s national interest.

Chen Min, a former Chinese journalist who now works as an independent commentator and a visiting scholar in Taiwan, told The China Post:  “This in essence is depriving the right of the public to know.  To put it bluntly, you now can only say what’s sanctioned by China’s propaganda officials.”