From the original article:
"A government directive sent to journalists in China on Friday named six economic topics to be “managed,” according to a copy of the order that was reviewed by The New York Times."
From everything I've read, I would be extremely surprised if journalists are the only ones who receive implicit or explicit "suggestions" on what is acceptable to say, and what is not.
http://www.baldingsworld.com/2018/07/17/balding-out/ (It's an excellent article overall.)
I am leaving China. After nine years working for the HSBC Business School of Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School as a professor teaching international trade, negotiations, and ethics, I am leaving China. In early November 2017, the HSBC Business School informed me they would not renew my contract. In March 2018 they informed me they wished to sever all ties by April 1, 2018.
One of my biggest fears living in China has always been that I would be detained. Though I happily pointed out the absurdity of the rapidly encroaching authoritarianism, a fact which continues to elude so many experts not living in China, I tried to make sure I knew where the line was and did not cross it. There is a profound sense of relief to be leaving safely knowing others, Chinese or foreigners, who have had significantly greater difficulties than myself. There are many cases which resulted in significantly more problems for them. I know I am blessed to make it out.
I'd also be surprised if China is the only country where messaging "suggestions" are made by the government, although the degree and exactly how it is done is far more opaque some places than others. Of course it may be pure confirmation bias, but I've detected a distinct change in the nature of MSM China articles in the last 2 months or so in the US, as well as a change in public sentiment in social media and forums.