Chinese Gov. Imposes Ban On Independent Reporting Of Latest Melamine Scandal - AFP

Chinese officials have banned independent reporting on the latest toxic food scandal involving melamine, a chemical blamed for the deaths of six babies in 2008, a press watchdog said Thursday. The International Federation of Journalists, citing local sources, said censors in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong had ordered that media outlets "must only use information formally released by the authorities".

There was no immediate comment from authorities in Guangdong, which borders Hong Kong.

"The (IFJ) is appalled at the latest media order issued by Guangdong Province Propaganda Department banning independent reporting on a new toxic melamine milk scandal," the Brussels-based group said in a statement. IFJ general secretary Aidan White said the order "raises further concerns about prioritising censorship over the well-being of citizens".

EDIT

Now, Chinese reports say that tainted products supposed to have been destroyed after the 2008 scandal have found their way back on to the market. Police have arrested four people involved in the dairy industry in the northern city of Weinan, state media reported Wednesday. And in a sign of growing official concern, the government has rushed inspectors to 16 provinces to check for food-safety problems, Xinhua news agency said Tuesday.

EDIT

http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/China_imposes_media_ban_over_new_milk_scandal_watchdog_999.html

After all, when those cell-phone pictures of Lyndie England & Co emerged, Rumsfeld's immediate response was to ban cell phones with cameras at military prisons. He didn't care about the abuse. Only about it news of it leaking out.

And thank God for cellphones that take pix, the internet, laptops & courageous journalists.