An unrestricted news media and self-organised volunteers, the two most praised 'bright spots' of the Sichuan earthquake, are now strictly controlled and largely forgotten. In a politically sensitive year, mainland authorities have returned to their usual, heavy-handed approach.
Official stonewalling has hindered the effectiveness of long-term volunteer campaigns dedicated to post-quake reconstruction. And a string of media bans has been issued to 'maintain social stability and create a harmonious media environment' as the earthquake's anniversary looms on Tuesday. Immediately after the earthquake last May, the world was surprised by the central government's quick response to the disaster and an improved disclosure of relevant information.
Journalists both local and international enjoyed a short period of freedom and access to cover the disaster and official rescue efforts in Sichuan, without the usual official oversight and harassment.
Meanwhile, millions of volunteers swarmed to Sichuan to help with rescue efforts. Often self-organised and financed by spontaneous donations from throughout China and the world, people were allowed to pitch in, raising expectations that a new era of civil society shaped by democracy, equality and mutual help had arrived.
The Central Propaganda Department soon put a stop to that. It began issuing bans on coverage of issues it believed would 'jeopardise social stability' or embarrass the government. The harassment of reporters, especially foreigners, began again. Most foreign reporters were expelled from the area and Chinese reporters were forced to toe the party line.
Media coverage of shoddily built school buildings whose collapse killed thousands of students, and petitions to local authorities by heart-broken parents for truth and justice over the deaths of their children, was - and still is - harshly repressed.
