China-The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the continuing restrictions on journalists reporting on the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province in May.
Police have become especially vigilant in controlling reporting regarding the deaths of students at Juyuan Middle School, Dujiangyuan city. The site is cordoned off and police forbid anyone to enter.
The Central Propaganda Department issued a directive to all media not to carry reports about the collapsed school buildings.
On June 3, police prevented journalists and photographers from Kyodo News Agency and Associated Press from reporting on a lawsuit filed by parents of students killed at the school. Around 280 students and teachers were killed when the school building collapsed.
The lawsuit cites the local government in Dujiangyan, alleging poor building standards.
Immediately after the quake, media were able to report on the disaster with relative freedom. However, the Central Propaganda Department has since sought to crack down on negative reports about alleged mismanagement and poor planning by local authorities, said to have contributed to the high death toll.
Journalists’ responsibility is to report all the facts, not merely the good news stories, said IFJ Asia-Pacific.
China’s central and local governments must respect the right of journalists to work freely.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries
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