A contrast in crisis
Two recent natural disasters in Asia have shone spotlights on a country that is slowly loosening some media restrictions and another that still doesn’t get it.
After a May 12 earthquake killed more than 12,000 people in the Sichuan province, the Chinese government barred reporters from entering the disaster zone. Some media ignored the command and reported on the tragedy anyway. Instead of reacting harshly, China’s Propaganda Department (an ironic name) softened its stance and asked reporters to accompany rescue teams. The Chinese government’s official news agency, Xinhua, even provided regular updates on death tolls.
Contract that with Myanmar’s junta regime. After Cyclone Nargis swept through in early May, it denied access to reporters and, even worse, aid workers. When the government finally started to release death tolls, they reported much fewer than the 100,000 U.S. officials predicted, wiping away any credibility state media may have had.
Now the rest of the world is largely sympathetic to China’s plight but critical of Myanmar’s secrecy and controlling policies. The world notices when a country doesn’t seem to care about its people or reputation.
Related posts: