The Sichuan government is planning to place limits on the number of journalists that news organisations can register to cover the aftermath of the earthquake, in another sign of tighter control over the media.
A second batch of press passes would be issued soon - possibly starting in the next few days - and the government would 'in principle' limit the number issued, a publicity official said.
She said the exact number to be granted to each news organisation had yet to be decided, but the numerical limits would apply to both overseas and domestic media.
After the earthquake, the government began issuing press passes dated for May, which allowed journalists to cover the disaster, though local authorities have rarely asked to see them. Some journalists never even applied.
The official said the government was concerned about the large number of reporters in the disaster zone, putting the number of foreign journalists at 800.
However, that number is believed to be a cumulative total. 'The disaster zone can't handle that many. Some reporters have asked disaster survivors hurtful questions,' she said.