Chinese state media reporters blocked from deadly blast site near Beijing, raising rare controversy over press controls
- Police forcibly remove state media journalists from scene of explosion in Hebei province, raising questions about the right to report on disasters
- Local authorities issue apology, saying emergency staff at scene had ‘poor communication skills’ and used ‘rough and simple measures’
A journalist with state broadcaster CCTV was interrupted while reporting live from the scene on Wednesday following an explosion in the northern province of Hebei near the Chinese capital. The reporter was seen surrounded by several police officers in uniform who blocked the camera and shouted about potential danger at the scene, according to a video that circulated online.
The video of the report was no longer available on CCTV’s website as of Thursday.
In another video, reporters were seen surrounded by a group of uniformed police officers telling them to leave the scene. A reporter with China Media Group, of which CCTV is a division, was heard saying “we three reporters are shoved by a dozen people”.
On Thursday, local authorities issued a statement saying they were “deeply remorseful” and apologised to the journalists.
