Spot the Difference

Chinese papers are obviously very tightly controlled indeed but with the approach of the 5 yearly Party Congress—due in the next month or so—at which major and minor political changes are announced, the media is practically frozen in lockstep. Yesterday's front pages of the People's Daily to three other major organs were virtually indistinguishable with the lead four stories (which are all reports about the activities of top leaders) boasting the same photos, layout, headlines, and content.

Very much the deer in the headlights reaction to danger from the editors. When elephants fight, they say, the mouse gets crushed and in this case the mice are hunkered down as low as they can go.

(Thanks to China Digital Times)