Chinese news law may cover foreign press

BEIJING - A draft Chinese law flagging fines for media reporting disasters without official authorisation is aimed at "irresponsible" journalists but may cover foreign reporters, a Chinese official said.

Chinese news reports of the proposed Law on Response to Contingencies, which threatens fines of 50,000 yuan ($10,400) to 100,000 yuan for misleading reports, has provoked worries among Chinese journalists and advocates of free speech who say it will add to officials' brimming armoury of censorship rules.

The law is intended to improve news and protect society by stressing both officials' duty to disclose and journalists' duty to report accurately, said Wang Yongqing, Vice-Minister of the State Council Legislative Affairs Office.

"If a Chinese reporter goes to France or Britain, he also has to abide by your laws," Wang told reporters. "It's aimed at the activity. If you engage in reporting activities you also have to obey these rules."

The fines would be levied only when reporters issue maliciously false reports or when groundless reports create serious social harm. But the proposed law nonetheless stipulates that reporters should seek Government approval before reporting on natural disasters, outbreaks or disease and riots.

Wang said there was no firm date for putting the proposed law on the books, but it was possibly some time this year.

- REUTERS