From Chinese Press

Strengthen media supervision

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-29 07:55

Several reporters trying to dig out the truth behind some cases have been treated roughly by local officials. To prevent such incidents, media supervision needs to be strengthened, says an article in Beijing News. Excerpts:

The media seem to have become a problem for some local officials. In several recent cases, local officials have misbehaved with reporters who were trying to find the causes and results of incidents. This could be interpreted as good news by some officials, because the media's influence upon society has forced those wielding power to be careful while doing something wrong.

Facts prove that media supervision is essential to solve certain social problems. But in some places, power is over-concentrated in officialdom, prompting local officials to treat journalists with disrespect and even attacking them.

In a modern democratic society, media supervision is an indispensable part of social justice, and more reform is needed to strengthen media supervision over local governments.

(China Daily 04/29/2010 page9)