A/HRC/25/CRP.1 “monthly plan for publication and report” to the Central Party and each regional newspaper agency, broadcasting bodies, and magazine publishing houses. All publication, broadcasting and magazine publishing entities formulate their work plan based on this monthly plan.186 For example, if the government were to order that more grass eating animals are to be reared, all media content down to the regional levels would relate to this topic.187 207. All content prepared by journalists goes through several layers of review. While editing does occur, the layers of review relate more to censorship; ensuring that content is in line with the directive and state ideology.188 Journalists are liable to be admonished for seemingly minor mistakes in not adhering to the Publication and Broadcasting Department directive or the state ideology.189 • Mr Jang Hae-sung provided testimony at the Seoul Public Hearing of the Commission saying that he made a typographical error and misspelled Kim Ilsung’s name in a report. He was sent to a training camp for six months as punishment for this transgression.190 208. Local journalists are not ordinarily allowed to go abroad on reporting assignments. A very small number of journalists at the central level would be permitted to go overseas on assignment, usually to China or Russia. Foreign correspondents in the DPRK, initially mainly coming from China, Russia and Cuba, are apparently only allowed to write stories complimentary of the DPRK. They are also not allowed to speak to the general population.191 It has been often reported that the DPRK permits foreign media only for occasional visits, usually for important ceremonial events. In those situations, the foreign journalists are subject to restricted movement and must be accompanied by officials at all times. 209. There has been some recent liberalization of restrictions on foreign journalists operating within the DPRK though the system is still far from free. Associated Press (AP) opened a western news bureau in January 2012. It claimed at the time that its Pyongyang bureau, which is based inside the official Korean Central News Agency, would operate under the same standards and practices as AP bureaux worldwide.192 A foreign correspondent (who is part of a small team of AP journalists who are allowed to visit the DPRK on a regular basis) spoke of having a minder accompanying him at all times during field visits. Attempting to evade the minder was not possible as the journalist would have had their visa revoked in response. Requests to view certain events or locations not already planned by the authorities are usually declined. Official permission is also required for ordinary citizens to meet foreigners. Members of the public who are introduced by the minders to foreign journalists typically have only positive things to say about the situation in the country.193 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 TAP009; Mr Jang Hae-sung, Seoul Public Hearing, 22 August 2013, afternoon. TAP009. Note sub-principle 4.7 of the Ten Principles which states, “Use considerately the guidelines of the Leader when preparing reports, discussions, lectures or printed materials and eliminate any words or writing that is contrary to his instructions.” TAP009; Mr Jang Hae-sung, Seoul Public Hearing, 22 August 2013, afternoon. Seoul Public Hearing, 22 August 2013, afternoon. TAP009. “Associated Press opens news bureau in North Korea”, The Guardian, 16 January 2012. Available from http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jan/16/associated-press-bureau-north-korea. “Now You See It”, National Geographic, October 2013. Available from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/10/north-korea/sullivan-text. 57