Media can reassure public of dam's capabilities

The sluice gates of the Three Gorges Dam. [Photo/Xinhua]

How good is the flood control capacity of the Three Georges Dam? Media reports vary and many people are confused about which to believe. Beijing News looks to set people's minds at ease:

If you read all the reports about the Three Georges Dam over the past years, you will probably end up confused. In 2003, a report said it could cope with water levels that happened once every 10,000 years; in 2007, the standard became once every 1,000 years; in 2008, it became 100 years and in 2010 there was no longer any data. They simply said "do not put all your hope on the Three Georges Dam".

These conflicting reports have already damaged the public's faith that the dam will prevent floods, especially as experts predict heavy rains might happen this year downstream of the Three Georges.

But Zhao Yunfa, a senior managing engineer of the Three Georges project, has said, the main structure of the Three Georges Dam will still be safe even if once in 10,000-year rains flood the river, will function well amid once in 1,000-year rains, and will help the downstream withstand rains that can flood the river.

That's the most reliable prediction of the Three Georges Dam's capacity for flood control. However, the heavy rainfall expected this year will be a huge test for the dam.

The Three Georges Dam reports also teach us a lesson about journalism. We should not use speculative headlines that might mislead the public.

A society must be built on reason and the public's trust in the government, which needs to make its decision-making process in order to earn that trust. The media have a role to play in this by presenting a true and complete picture to the public.