A new law, which is to take effect on Nov. 1, bans the
fabrication and spreading of false information on accidents and
disasters and requires governments to provide accurate and timely
information.
The Emergency Response Law approved by the national legislature
on Aug. 30 this year is aimed at improving handling of industrial
accidents, natural disasters, health and public security
hazards.
Chinese officials will be legally obliged to provide accurate
and timely information on public emergencies, while media
organizations that publish false reports could lose their business
licenses under the new law.
The 70-article law would help minimize losses and prevent minor
mishaps from turning into major public crises.
"People's governments in charge of coping with an emergency
should provide coordinated, accurate and timely information on the
emergency and its development," it says.
The law also states that "units and individuals are prohibited
from fabricating or spreading false information regarding
emergencies and government efforts to cope with emergencies".
Offenders will be warned, it says. Media organizations or web
companies could lose their business licenses if their offences lead
to serious consequences.
Government officials will incur administrative punishment for
providing inaccurate information, says the law.
Behavior that contravenes public security management rules or
criminal statutes will be prosecuted, it says.
The law requires "harsh punishments for looting of properties
during emergencies and for disrupting emergency response work".
The law says when extremely serious emergencies occur, which
severely threaten life and property, state security, public
security, environmental security or public order, which are not
covered by the provisions in the law, the NPC Standing Committee or
the State Council can declare a "state of emergency" in accordance
with the Constitution and relevant laws.
Frequent natural disasters and industrial accidents have caused
huge losses of life and property in China.
Police records show 5.61 million natural and industrial
emergencies were reported in 2004, leaving 210,000 people dead and
1.75 million injured. Direct economic losses topped 450 billion
yuan (US$56.3 billion).
(Xinhua News Agency November 1, 2007)
