State Department cracks down on more Chinese media organizations as foreign missions

The State Department is designating four more Chinese news agencies as foreign missions essentially controlled by the Chinese communist government.

The designation Monday applies to the American operations of China Central Television, China News Service, the People’s Daily and the Global Times.

This adds to a number of others designated in February, including Xinhua News Agency, China Global Television Network, China Radio International, China Daily Distribution Corporation and Hai Tian Development USA.

The press statement from State Department spokesperson Morgan Outages explained that the entities meet the criteria because they are "effectively controlled" by the Chinese government.

"The decision to designate these entities is not based on any content produced by these entities, nor does it place any restrictions on what the designated entities may publish in the United States," she said. "Entities designated as foreign missions must adhere to certain administrative requirements that also apply to foreign embassies and consulates in the United States."