The recent leadership changes at a major Shanghai newspaper sends a signal to the city's media that it must be more careful with its reporting ahead of the Communist Party's 18th national congress, when a new leadership will be unveiled.
Lu Yan was dismissed as publisher of the Oriental Morning Post, and Sun Jian was suspended as deputy editor-in-chief, on July 18.
A newspaper employee said the reshuffle was the result of a series of bold reports, including one on economist Mao Yushi , who argued that the mainland could only sustain growth if significant political reforms were enacted.
Online discussions in mainland media circles said Lu's sacking was because of an interview published on May 15 with economist Sheng Hong, who called for the state's power to be limited.
A veteran Shanghai-based journalist said the reshuffle was not linked to a particular report but was the result of senior party officials' criticism of reports that span several months. 'Shanghai's publicity department had to do something about it,' he said.
Analysts noted the restructuring came at a time when the party's propaganda chiefs were tightening controls on media across the nation to ensure a stable social environment ahead of the congress, which is expected to be held in the autumn.
