By Josh Chin (’07), Contributor to The Christian Science Monitor
August 24, 2006

BEIJING – China is considering a new Emergency Response Law that would give local governments the right to “manage news media reports” about emergencies. The law would fine news outlets up to $12,500 for reporting on those events without permission or in a way that “causes serious consequences.”

The proposed changes, first floated in late June, follow a string of reports about disasters – particularly coal mining accidents – that has embarrassed officials, and in some cases led to legal action.

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