In an unusual, harsh tone, People’s Daily published an editorial warning that “The Party’s discipline does not allow Party members to spread political rumors.” The editorial states that safeguarding the Party’s political discipline is a serious political struggle. It further alleges that a very small group of Party members and officials make irresponsible remarks on major political issues and act on their own, that some overtly agree but covertly oppose the Party’s decisions, and that others make up stories and tarnish the image of the Party leadership. The editorial said that the Party’s disciplinary authorities have “seriously punished a number of CCP members and cadres who disobeyed the political discipline.”
Source: People’s Daily, May 25, 2011
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2011-05/25/nw.D110000renmrb_20110525_2-04.htm