Chinas Censorship Obscures Tragedy in Tibet, Reports Say

Paris, September 3: The international organization “Reporters Without Borders” (RSF) has sharply criticized China’s alleged censorship of media following devastating floods in the Tibetan region. They claim that this censorship makes it impossible to gauge the extent of the destruction caused by the flash floods in Tibet.

According to RSF, no independent Tibetan media outlets or international news organizations have been allowed to report freely from the flood-affected areas. The organization stated, “This reflects the long-standing strict control over journalists in China.”

Reports suggest that Chinese authorities have permitted only state media to cover the floods. These reports primarily highlight the government’s achievements in relief and rescue operations, while the true devastation and its broader impacts remain unreported.

RSF noted that, according to the Chinese state newspaper Xinjiang Bao (The Beijing News), authorities have also taken action against 10 internet users accused of spreading “rumors” related to the disaster.

Alexandra Bielakovska, RSF’s Asia-Pacific advocacy head, remarked that under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, Tibet has become “a black hole of information.” She stated, “Independent Tibetan media or international journalists are not allowed to report freely from this autonomous region. Only state-controlled media and propaganda agencies can operate, publishing news according to the directives of the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda department.”

Kalsang Jigme, editor-in-chief of the independent media outlet Tibet Radio, told RSF, “This time, the control over information seems much stricter compared to previous natural disasters. It has become extremely difficult for journalists to ascertain the true severity of the disaster.”

Jigme mentioned that he attempted to contact Tibetan families of those living in flood-affected areas, but many are hesitant to share information publicly. They fear that doing so could endanger their relatives still residing in Tibet.

According to information gathered by Tibet Radio, approximately 29 Tibetans have died, while the official Chinese count stands at 16. Tibetan media outlets assert that the actual death toll could be significantly higher, but verifying these figures is challenging due to limited access and a lack of reliable sources.

RSF has also accused China of extensive censorship on its social media platforms. Notably, many posts and references related to the floods on WeChat have reportedly been removed or censored.

The severe flooding that struck Nepal’s Rasuwa region on August 26 originated from the Tibetan area of China. The floodwaters reached the Bhote Koshi River, causing widespread devastation in Nepal, resulting in over 1,000 deaths and significant damage in various regions of the Himalayan country.

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