Communists turn screw on press freedom

BEIJING - An earthquake shook the Chinese capital yesterday, rattling window frames and driving office workers in Beijing's Central Business District out of their skyscrapers, but there were no injuries or damage to report.

In fact, soon there may be no reporting of earthquakes.

News reporting about disasters and public disorder in China could be-come a crime if a bill banning the spread of information about catastrophes without official permission is introduced. Government officials say the new legislation is aimed at stopping "irresponsible journalism", but there are fears it could be used to stop any reporting not officially approved.

The epicentre of the 5.1 magnitude quake was in Wenan county, about 100km south of Beijing. It raised a seismic question mark over current draft legislation aimed at further muzzling journalists in China.

The proposed Law on Response to Contingencies threatens fines of up to $21,000 for misleading reports.

It will require journalists to get Government approval before divulging news of natural disasters, disease, riots and other unspecified "sudden events" or "contingencies".

Wang Yongqing, of the State Council's Legislative Affairs Office, said the law was intended to improve news by stressing the duty to report accurately.

"If information released is untruthful or inaccurate, or if information is bogus, it can spark unnecessary panic in society and even create grave social harm," he said.

Wang also suggested foreign journalists in China, already tightly controlled in how they operate, could face similar restrictions.

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

For many years, China covered up news of disasters and public disorder, but recently started to allow reports of events such as mining disasters.

However, the Propaganda Ministry still imposes news blackouts on issues it feels might tarnish the image of the ruling Communist Party.

The BBC's website is blocked, while news about China is routinely blacked out on CNN.

Chinese journalists and free speech defenders are worried the bill could be the latest step in a crackdown on press and internet freedom here.

Academics and analysts both said it was a law that would be used against journalists and make it even harder than it is already to report on events.

China has more journalists in prison than any other country, rights groups regularly attest, and there are regular purges of editors and reporters at publications seen as pushing the envelope too far.

- INDEPENDENT