Looking Back on Chinese Media Reporting of School Collapses

For China Media Project, journalist Qian Gang writes about the initial reporting on the Sichuan earthquake and the subsequent crackdown on coverage:

In the “great earthquake” of May 12, just one year ago, we saw the combined devastation of a natural disaster and social tensions in a way that was unprecedented. Chinese news reports on this major story unfolded in a complicated environment, and it is impossible to render a simple verdict about media coverage. As rescue and relief efforts began, the release of information prompted the international news media to note a “rare openness” in news coverage within China. Subsequent restrictions on reporting of shoddy school construction told a very different story.

See also “Sichuan Quake Zone Reporters Assaulted” from CDT.