This draft is to be discussed at the local people's congress early this year.

Media supervision is playing an increasingly important role in preventing corruption today.

But it is not rare to see government officials filing lawsuits against media over violations of their right of reputation or privacy when reporting on their information and activities.

Should the media conduct such reports about officials? Are those reports really violating the officials?rights?

The conflicts between individual interests and the public interest, individual's right of reputation or privacy and the public right to know have long shadowed media supervision.

To solve the problem, media should be given certain exemptions. And the stipulation granting journalists rights of reasonable distrust in the Shenzhen regulation will certainly help.

Such a stipulation accords with public interests. Public figures have the right of reputation and privacy. But when going against public interest, these individual rights should be subordinated to the public interest. Reports on officials?corrupt activities should be protected and encouraged. Otherwise media supervision will only be a milquetoast cheque.

Besides, such a stipulation conforms to the public's right to know. Citizens have the legal right to understand what is going on about activities, property, and other information of government officials and their families. Officials cannot employ the right of reputation and privacy to reject public supervision. Media reports and criticism are effective forms of public supervision. Exemptions to certain extent will enable journalists to do a better job of placing the spotlight on poor government.

Before the formulation of a press law in the country, Shenzhen's regulation, once passed, will be a breakthrough to promote media supervision and prevent corruption.

 (China Daily )