The International Federation
of Journalists (IFJ) demands the immediate reinstatement of a China Central Television producer who was suspended from his job over coverage
of a high-speed rail disaster in China’s east.
The IFJ has learned that Wang Qinglei, producer of 24 Hours, was suspended on July 27 after the program’s host queried
the Railway Ministry’s speedy resolution of the July 23 accident in which at
least 40 people were killed. The host also questioned officials’ dismissal on
July 26 of safety concerns about China’s high-speed rail network.
“The IFJ calls on Cai Fuchao, Director
of State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, to investigate Wang
Qinglei’s suspension and ensure China Central Television unconditionally reinstates
him immediately,” IFJ Asia-Pacific
said.
Another program, News 1+1, also on China Central Television, was suddenly taken off the
network’s schedule on July 26 without explanation, after criticism of a Railway
Ministry spokesman on the program on July 25.
After six days of relatively unfettered
media coverage of the disaster in Wenzhou, the Central Propaganda Department issued an order to all media via a
cell phone on July 29. It came after Guangdong Propaganda Department issued an
order on July 24 demanding six local media outlets remove journalists from the accident
scene.
“Due to public opinion about the railway
disaster becoming complicated, all media including sister newspapers, magazines
and websites should immediately play down the relevant report except to report
information from the relevant authorities and positively report the aftermath,”
the order said. It added that “no further report and no commentary” were
permitted.
On July 30, the Beijing Propaganda Department
issued an order to all local media stating, “No report or commentary about the company
responsible for the signal system of the high-speed railway and local metro
railway system.” The order also reminded cyber-police to control the flow of information
online regarding coverage of the accident.
“Directives to restrict reporting on
the Wenzhou rail disaster are denying the public their right to be informed about
issues related to public safety,” IFJ Asia-Pacific
said.
“The IFJ applauds those metropolitan
newspapers and national media, including China Central Television and The Economic Observer, for keeping the
public informed regardless of pressure from various authorities.”
The directives follow Premier Wen
Jiabao’s demands that the Railways Minister prioritise public safety following
the accident.
The IFJ also urges Premier Wen to
swiftly investigate the new restrictions on media and to order all propaganda departments to desist from issuing such orders
in the future.
For further
information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific
on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ
represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries
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IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific
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