In what critics are calling a stifling of journalists' ability to freely document and analyze, China ordered its media professionals to learn "Marxist news values" and uphold the principles of the ruling Communist Party pertaining to news reporting.

The command extends to print, TV, and on-line mediums.

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The guidelines by the All China Journalists' Association, published by state-run Xinhua News Agency, calls for China's 300,000 reporters to "hold high the banner of socialist core values." The move is seen as a backslide to Maoist policies under the increasingly conservative government of Chinese president Xi Jinping.

It also follows the dictate from earlier this year that all Chinese journalists must pass an ideology exam in order to keep their press cards. The test, based on a 700-page textbook, required a minimum of 18 hours of training on "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" and Marxist ideals on journalism. The mandate drew sharp protests from across China, not least of which because it was the first time in the country's history that journalists had to take such a test as an entire group.

"It is absolutely not permitted for published reports to feature any comments that go against the party line" and "the relationship between the party and the news media is one of leader and the led" are just two of the tag lines journalists are expected to follow, as reported in the South China Morning Post.

Last year, the Communist Party's Propaganda Department announced the rule that the nation's reporters, producers and editors would have attend least two days of Maxism instruction to promote "ideological unity," the Post reported. 

Xi Jinping has instituted a harsh crackdown on the increasingly feisty and individualistic Chinese creative community, ranging from drug stings to shutting down the Beijing Independent Film Festival.

Yao Wentian, a Hong Kong publisher was imprisoned in May ahead of the release of a book critical of Jinping.

TagsChinese censorship, Chinese Communist Party, Marxism, All China Journalists' Association, Socialism, propaganda