Chinese media's new-found freedom

Chinese media's new-found freedom

By Rupert Wingfield-Hayes BBC correspondent in Beijing

In China, media coverage of the war in Iraq has so far been surprisingly balanced.

This is despite the fact that it is controlled by a government which has been harshly against the war from the outset.

Chinese state television is giving virtual round-the-clock coverage to the war and has sent its own teams to the Middle East.

In a rare move, China broadcast Saddam Hussein live

It all contrasts strongly with Chinese media coverage of the first Gulf war in 1991 and the 11 September attacks on the United States when there was a virtual news blackout.

In China, the biggest change since the war began last week is that the television news has suddenly become interesting.

Gone are the turgid reports on the latest Communist Party decrees, replaced by animated coverage of the latest developments in Iraq, complete with graphics and studio analysis.

What is even more surprising is that the coverage has, by and large, been balanced.

Far from sticking to the Chinese Government's anti-war line, studio guests openly discuss the motivations of the different players - why, for example, some Arab governments are siding with the Americans and the British.

Nothing to lose

So why are Chinese journalists suddenly being allowed to report the news as they see it?

Well, in large part, it is because this war does not impact directly on China's own national interest.

The Chinese Government has not suddenly become more liberal, but it has little to lose from allowing more open coverage of a war which is a long way away.

It has also learnt from the aftermath of the 11 September attacks on the United States.

For hours after those attacks, Chinese television was barred from showing pictures of the burning World Trade Center towers.

In disgust, tens of millions of Chinese simply turned off their televisions and logged on to the internet instead.