Independent and objective reporting of disasters and accidents wouldn’t be affected by a provision in a draft law requiring news organizations to seek state approval prior to covering such events, a Chinese official emphasized on Monday.

 

The draft law on emergency response has been submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's legislature, for review. The law includes a provision which could result in news organizations being fined between 50,000 and 100,000 yuan if they report disasters and accidents without official authorization. The fines could also be imposed for fraudulent reporting of such incidents.

 

The provision was discussed and criticized by Chinese journalists and news organizations recently.

 

Wang Yongqing, vice-director of the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council said the provision wasn’t designed to deter independent reporting but to prevent the media from spreading inaccurate information or fabricating events which could cause the public to panic.

 

He also said fines would only be levied if such reports caused "grave consequences to society."

 

Wang said governments at all levels were accountable for releasing accurate and timely information on natural disasters, accidents, public security and health issues.

 

The draft law also targets leading officials who fail to promptly report disasters or accidents, mislead people about an incident or simply hide the truth. They can be disciplined, demoted or removed from their posts.

 

Wang said journalists were encouraged to expose government and official wrongdoing. Some officials had been punished for concealing the truth about emergencies.

 

Since the outbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in China in 2003 the Chinese government has been more forthcoming about reporting emergencies to media outlets.

 

To date all ministries and a large number of local governments have issued regular news releases or held news conferences when required. At present China's media is allowed to provide timely reporting on emergencies such as bird flu cases, coal mine accidents, explosions and air crashes.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2006)