Must CCTV

Over the years, China's televised newscasts have conspicuously avoided one thing: the news. In 2001, for instance, the attack on New York City's World Trade Center reached mainland airwaves a full day after the buildings had collapsed. But the second Gulf War is giving Chinese broadcast journalists a chance to redeem themselves. Two China Central Television (CCTV) channels are offering around-the-clock coverage, while others are showing large blocks of war news, mostly live and largely free of governmental interference. "We're washing a bad taste out of our mouths," says a CCTV producer proudly.

Viewers have seen frequent...