Hebei's Party chief urges protecting reporters' rights

English Español Français العربية Русский

RSS Newsletters

Radio TV

LANGUAGE
English Español Français العربية Русский Documentary CCTV+

Radio TV

By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can change your cookie settings through your browser.

I agree

The Party chief of north China's Hebei Province on Thursday called on local authorities to embrace public oversight and support reporters' right to make inquiries, amid a social media storm that was triggered after journalists were obstructed in their on-site inquiries about an explosion in the town of Yanjiao, located to the east of Beijing.

The authorities need to improve communication mechanisms with the media, be adept at using the media to identify problems and create a favorable public opinion environment, said Ni Yuefeng, secretary of the Hebei Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), at a special meeting.

The blast, caused by a gas leak in Hebei's Sanhe City on Wednesday morning, resulted in seven deaths and 27 injuries, according to local authorities.

Later that day, videos showing China Media Group reporters being shoved by male personnel gained widespread attention on social media, with many netizens denouncing the acts.

Local authorities in Sanhe on Thursday apologized for forcing the reporters away from the site.

Addressing the explosion, Ni also called on the authorities to implement thorough safety hazard identification and rectification in production, comprehensively enhance the ability to respond to emergencies and spare no effort in safeguarding the safety of people's lives and property.

(Cover: Firefighters work the scene of an explosion in Sanhe city in northern China's Hebei province on March 13, 2024. /CFP)