(LI SHIGONG)

Some, not all, journalists in southwest China's Yunnan Province have been promised greater access to the local judiciary after the provincial higher court, the highest local court, granted 14 reporters "specially invited press observer" status in early April.

Courts across the province are required to notify the reporters, who have been issued unique identification, about major cases and decisions, as well as to assist the reporters in their court work. The reporters have also been assured that their criticisms and suggestions regarding court work will be taken seriously.

Yunnan's initiative, however, has sparked off streams of disputes online. Most netizens questioned the legitimacy of this program, saying that reporters are entitled to do their job independently. How then can local courts intervene by "authorizing" reporters to do their duties, asked those opposed to the program. What also emerged in discussion was concern over whether the reporters would become court lackeys and whether those not on the favored list would be denied court access.

Supporters argued that it would help improve the courts' working efficiency, ensuring Yunnan judges exercise their discretionary power more cautiously because of media scrutiny. Others said the provincial higher court had not thought the program through clearly, and that it could undermine the principle of independent journalism.

Cover or uncover?

Pan Hongqi (Qilu Evening News): It is constitutionally stipulated that the media's role as a watchdog is to be independent, a process which does not need to be "authorized" or interrupted by administrative power. Whether we like it or not, the principle of independent journalism is a vital component of a free society. Therefore, Yunnan local courts, which are voluntarily providing convenience for media access, demonstrate a positive attitude within the judicial system by allowing monitoring of the judiciary through the media.

Whatever the monitoring form is, or whatever response comes from those being monitored, either negative or positive, reporters must abide by the rule of independent journalism, as well as the ethics of this profession. Reporters should ensure that the reporting is true, unbiased and fair.

These reporters who are "proud" of being guaranteed an easier but disgraceful mode of access to the courts are a shame to their profession by undermining the rule of independent journalism.

Liu Xiaoren (Shanxi Evening News): We have heard plenty about the media's role of checking judicial organs, especially in the realm of anti-corruption. As news spreads faster today and our society becomes more transparent, dedicated reporters are required to provide the true facts about all issues affecting the public.

The goal of judicial impartiality is achieved through both integrity within the judicial system, and media monitoring, in which process reporters play a role to seek the truth for us. Courts at various levels are subject to this supervision and should not prevent reporters from hearing trials or investigating cases. Of course, reporters are also not to interfere in legal decisions made by the judiciary.