The SARS Epidemic Under China’s Media Policy

Abstract

The SARS epidemic, the 9/11 of the Chinese communities, serves as a valuable lesson for China’s government to learn. This paper takes an in-depth look into the possible reasons behind the media silence over the SARS epidemic for as long as four months after the first reported case. The economic concern and local protectionism of the government took precedence over the well-being of the public, which determined the suppression of information and under-reporting afterwards, contributing to the exacerbation of the crisis. The state media, as an extension of the government under party journalism, played an irresponsible and tame role in times of crisis.