From the Readers

Honor Hu's remarks on media

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-08-19 09:04

Recent attacks on and harassment of journalists have forced China's press administration to publicly defend journalists' rights to interview people and report on events and individuals.

On July 28, police in Suichang county, Zhejiang province, put the name of Qiu Ziming, a reporter with Beijing-based Economic Observer, on an online wanted list after he reported suspected irregular dealings of a local company.

The nationwide outcry against the move subsided only after police removed Qiu's name from the wanted list.

Suichang police said Qiu was suspected of smearing a "law-abiding company". But putting Qiu on the wanted list showed which side the local authorities were on and that they were not afraid of abusing their power to intimidate journalists.

What the powerful few often forget is that China protects the rights of the press. President Hu Jintao, in a speech at the World Media Summit in Beijing in October, said that the government backed the media to protect the right to information, and encourage people to participate in public affairs, voice their opinions and supervise government and other public institutions.

But some local officials are yet to honor Hu's remarks and allow the media to act as the watchdog of society.

Lin Min, via e-mail

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(China Daily 08/19/2010 page9)