China Defends Proposed Law To Fine Media Professionals
Julie Farby - All Headline News Staff Writer Beijing, China (AHN) - Saying Monday it wants to encourage responsible journalism and not punish independent reporting, China defended a proposed law that would fine media reporting on riots and disasters without official approval. Wang Yongqing, vice-minister of the State Council Legislative Affairs Office, says the law would likely also apply to foreign news organizations. News outlets that report emergencies without authorization or issue fraudulent reports would be fined up to $12,500 under the draft law being considered by Parliament. Wang revealed fines would only be imposed if reports caused "grave consequences to society" and claimed the law was not meant to deter independent reporting, saying the law is meant "to prevent certain news media from disseminating groundless news or rumors, or reporting false information which may mislead the public and cause unnecessary social panic." However, the proposed law has raised concerns over journalists' right to report on matters of public interest. Zhan Jiang, director of the department of mass media at the China Youth University for Political Sciences, says, "The term 'grave consequences on society' is vague and it is up to the local government to interpret it," adding that, "In addition, the draft lets the local government control the source of the information." According to press reports, Wang says the media rules |
