Violent protests in the southwest province of Guizhou, resisting suspects shot dead in northwest Xinjiang, a fatal stabbing attack on police in the eastern city of Shanghai: this series of incidents happened and were reported in China just as the final countdown to the Olympics begins.
Although these incidents might dismay the public, the government and media don't hesitate to disclose them. Evidently, "calling a spade a spade" has been the guiding principle and important feature of media coverage on the eve of the Games.
There were some happy stories on the upcoming Games on Tuesday, which marked the 30-day countdown to the Olympics that opens on Aug. 8.
Yet on the same day, commentaries and self-questioning on the Weng'an incident, which was triggered by the death of middle school girl Li Shufen and intensified by local officials' malfeasance, were also published.
Also on the same day, readers could learn about police shooting dead five criminal suspects who were violently resisting arrest in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
"Report both the good and the bad" has become a distinctive feature of Chinese journalism ahead of the Olympics.
Having been tested by the magnitude-8.0 earthquake in Wenchuan County in southwest Sichuan, the Chinese media have became more truthful, objective and timely in reporting emergencies, which is partly due to the relaxed information environment.
The government has learned, especially after the quake, that only by offering the public trustworthy information in a timely and transparent manner can it curb the spread of rumors and let outsiders make their own judgement and distinguish the good from the bad.
The eased media environment has demonstrated the composure that the government has in its ability to deal with emergencies and mass incidents.
In retrospect, when it comes to the spread of those incidents, except for government announcements and numerous stories by the Chinese domestic media, the role of the Internet can never be ignored.
Speculation and rumors might be rampant online, but blocking the source of stories on the web is far from a wise decision.
What the government needs to do is to channel public grievances, talk with the masses on an equal footing and make known the truth as soon as possible.
The government should not stand in the way by blocking news online, which is an important channel for ordinary people to vent their anger and make their voices heard.
It's been 30 years since China launched its opening up and reform policy in 1978. To share and enjoy the achievements brought about by the economic boom, China must at the same time undergo unavoidable reforms.
The government may not be able to prevent the occurrence of mass incidents. But as long as it observe the principle of transparency and submit its behavior under public scrutiny through the media, it shall continue to enjoy people's trust and support and feel at ease that such incidents will not develop into a full crisis.
(Xinhua News Agency July 11, 2008)