Protect informants in fight against corruption

Anti-corruption departments should reflect on the reasons they have not previously uncovered suspected corruption and abuses of power by officials, and the authorities must take measures to protect informants, says an article in China Business News. Excerpts:

The Communist Party of China’s disciplinary supervisory authority announced last night that Song Lin, president and Party chief of the large State-owned enterprise China Resources Group, is under investigation for suspected violations of Party discipline and laws.

The announcement came after a journalist working for Xinhua News Agency disclosed Song’s suspected law infringements on the Internet one day earlier. The journalist also reported Song’s alleged violations late last year.

Song and the enterprise he led fought back, countering that the journalist’s behavior was libel and blackmail.

Song’s case is similar to the dramatic fall last year of Liu Tienan, former vice-minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, who fiercely accused a journalist who made similar charges as being guilty of defamation and conspiracy.

The judicial departments and disciplinary watchdogs should pay special attention to protect the Xinhua journalist’s safety, as requested by relevant laws. He will necessarily be exposed to considerable pressure from various sources.

What he is doing is good for the public, because corrupt senior officials sacrifice huge public interest for their personal gain, as the journalist’s charge shows.