Leaders of more than 60 Chinese local newspapers have signed a declaration on cracking down on fake news reports and upholding authenticity of journalism.

The declaration says that all newsmen should persist in seeking truth from facts, guard against fabricated news stories, and insure authenticity of news sources. It also calls for a long-term accountability system in this regard, according to the State Press and Publication Administration.

The declaration aims to root out fabricated news in all newspapers and rebuild credibility of media, said sponsors of the declaration.

The declaration came after the exposure of a fabricated TV news program about "cardboard buns" last month. The news story was made up by a Beijing Television reporter who, according to police, instructed four vendors of stuffed buns to add chopped waste cardboard in the fillings.

Six Beijing TV workers were either reprimanded or sacked for their roles in the scandal and Beijing TV issued an apology to the public.

The State Press and Publication Administration has called on the public to report news stories they suspect of being fake.

(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2007)