Transparency key to anti-virus battle

• Source: The Global Times
• [00:48 May 21 2009]
• Comments

Since the global outbreak of the H1N1 flu began, the Chinese government has done a good job of guaranteeing transparency of information on prevention and control of the virus. But there’s a long way to go in making sure that more detailed information is available to the public, as the lengthy battle against the virus continues.

According to foreign reports, under pressure from Japan, Britain, China and other nations, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided not to raise the alert level from the current phase 5 to phase 6, which would mean a global outbreak is “imminent.”

Declaring the virus to have become a pandemic could have severe economic consequences. It could trigger expensive trade and travel restrictions, such as border closures, airport screenings and quarantines. Also, governments fear that raising the alert level could cause mass panic and social instability.

It was only after seeing reports by the foreign press that the Chinese media – the Global Times included – learned that the WHO had been pressured to keep the alert level at phase 5.

One of our reporters contacted China’s Ministry of Health hoping to confirm the story but was rebuffed by an official.

Why aren’t official departments more open on releasing this information? Why can’t the Chinese people learn critical information from the Chinese media? Why must the Chinese media receive such information from the foreign media, rather than from our own government?

China has had very few flu cases and has not had any social disturbance thanks to the government’s improved transparency on the flu and indispensable measures.

But as efforts to contain the virus drag on, Chinese people need more details, both about domestic and international developments.

Vague responses or refusals to comment by authorities on crucial information do little to build mutual trust and further communication between the government and ordinary Chinese citizens. The government has a duty to provide honest, timely information on issues key to the daily lives of Chinese people.

Providing greater levels of transparency on information critical to the welfare of citizens goes a long way in building social stability and mutual trust between governments and the people in any country. In China, we need such mutual trust to help us overcome the H1N1 virus.