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(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-18 07:57

The trouble with the Daya Bay nuclear power plant is minor and well under control, that is what the concerned authorities are trying hard to assure us. They say it will not impact the environment, and refute foreign media reports that claim some sort of nuclear radiation leak from the plant.

We believe what they say. But there is a lesson in this for the authorities, and it pertains to information control. If it is found to be controlled, such efforts will only backfire.

Related readings:  'No radiation leak at nuclear plant'  CLP denies radiation leak at Daya Bay nuclear plant

Perhaps the information was not shared on time in order to stem panic, or they simply did not intend to cover it up in the first place. There is little harm if an insignificant wrong is corrected without the public being made aware of it - especially if it does not threaten its well-being.

Yet, numerous similar cases have shown how hard it has become to withhold such information from the public; it does little good in the end. Incorrect information given out by others may actually do more harm than proper information, released on time by the authorities.

Thankfully, no substantial damage has been caused this time round. And, that is because this issue turned out to be more benign than what the rumor mills claimed.

That the authorities have had to acknowledge the gist of the rumor has actually lent some credibility to its spreaders; this is a potential blow to the credibility of the concerned authorities.

Sharing information on time will still any potential fallout arising out of half truths or malicious rumors.

(China Daily 06/18/2010 page8)