Four newspaper staff reporters previously working for local branches of different Beijing-based newspapers have been arrested for extortion.

In a circular issued by the State Administration of Press and Publications (SAPP), the reporters, Wang Qiming, Meng Huaihu, Bu Jun and Chen Jinliang are accused of damaging the reputation of the country's press and publication sector.

The circular calls on concerned government departments and the media to check on how the offices of local reporters' are managed.

According to the circular, they racketeered from institutions or companies, after they learned about their irregularities. Some of these media branches were set up without official approval.

The SAPP has criticized some newspapers for flaws in their management styles. Some publications had adopted a "quota system" requesting staff reporters in branch offices to make an income by any means.

All four have had been detained and their reporter's ID canceled by the SAPP.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2006)