The Role of Social Media

China Youth Daily

April 21

Social media users have played an important role in earthquake relief efforts, providing emotional support to powerless people after the April 20 earthquake in Sichuan Province.

The disaster has left those suffering with little choice but to help and support each other. Five years ago when the Wenchuan earthquake broke out, social media such as Microblogging were not as popular as today. Now, such communication platforms have grown into an indispensable force in disaster relief.

People have utilized both Microblogging and WeChat to look for those lost in the quake and those in need of help. They remind journalists not to unnecessarily portray victim's families and put news before saving lives. They share opinions on how social organizations and individuals should function in disaster relief efforts, how injured people should help themselves, how to prevent secondary disasters and how to keep roads unblocked.

A netizen's words prove that the Chinese have grown more mature in dealing with disasters: What we need is not tears and sorrow but strength, which the Internet has made us feel.

Orderly Disaster Relief

Economic Information Daily

April 22

Immediately after the Ya'an earthquake, a number of disaster relief and medical teams headed to the quake-hit area alongside a large quantity of goods, materials and money. The rescue and relief work has been carried out faster than ever. However, we still need to make efforts to improve efficiency.

First, in any country, the government takes the biggest share of responsibility in disaster relief efforts. Professional and social organizations are also important forces. However, it is unnecessary for unprofessional individuals to head to the quake-hit area soon after the disaster, as it may cause traffic congestion and block the entrance of professional teams and necessary equipment.

Second, government and social disaster relief forces should be better coordinated with each other. For example, some areas have been overcrowded with relief machines while other places remain in urgent need of such utilities.

Third, donations and funds allocated by the government should be properly distributed among regions. Areas that were less seriously hit by the earthquake may be more urgently in need of money than worse hit areas because they receive less media coverage and therefore fewer donations.

Information Transparency

Guangming Daily

April 23

While feeling sorrow for the victims of the Ya'an earthquake, the public has praised the timeliness and transparency of issued information.

Sources have satisfied people's demand for information from the quake zone and helped prevent the spread of false information online.

Premier Li Keqiang stressed during his trip to the quake-hit zone that the disaster, relief efforts and casualties must be revealed in time so as not to hinder rescue work. Chinese media are also performing well. China Central Television, China National Radio and Sichuan TV Station have offered around the clock live broadcasts of the situation, delivering fresh news from the disaster area. Having reported on the massive Wenchuan earthquake in 2008, the national and local media outlets have a stronger sense of social responsibility.

The public has noticed the increased transparency of information since the quakes in Wenchuan, Yushu and now Ya'an. Such a regular issue of information is improving government relief efforts and is winning more public trust.

After the rescue operation, what is important next is the reconstruction of quakehit areas. Is it possible to continue the momentum in information transparency on how the relief resources and funds are used? This is another major test. It is hoped that government departments and various charity and social organizations alike will live up to public expectations.