Beijing's decision to impose new censorship rules through a draft law is a step in the wrong direction. The passage of such a retrograde measure would likely hinder reform on the mainland and raise suspicions overseas that Beijing was covering up embarrassing developments - such as an outbreak of infectious disease or environmental disasters - even when such things were not happening.
Last week, the National People's Congress Standing Committee was presented with a draft law that would make it a crime for newspapers, magazines, web sites and television stations to publish information on 'sudden events', such as natural disasters, without authorisation.
If the bill is passed, media outlets would face fines of 50,000 to 100,000 yuan if they break news on emergencies.
But Beijing's approach is fundamentally flawed. The news media is a positive force in society. A free press is necessary to keep the government on its toes, especially when the government itself is not accountable to the public. Restricting the press will result in a public that is kept in the dark, and in local governments whose excesses will no longer be subject to scrutiny.
Beijing should understand that many of the country's problems stem from local officials who abuse their positions. Premier Wen Jiabao acknowledged at a news conference in March that 'some local governments have infringed upon the legitimate rights and interests of the people, and social conflicts have subsequently occurred'.
In the struggle between victimised farmers and avaricious officials, the press - and the central government - are on the same side. Muzzling the press would only deprive the victims of a powerful champion while enabling grasping officials to line their pockets without fear of being exposed. Surely, this cannot be what the Chinese government wants?
The media should be seen as the partner of the government, not its enemy. Without a free media, even the central government would be kept in the dark by local authorities, who do not want embarrassing news, such as coal mine disasters, to be publicised.
