The State Press and Publication Administration (SPPA) has issued a circular asking media organizations nationwide to shore up coverage of the snow disaster affecting much of China and protect the public's right to know.

The circular said that news organizations should continue on-the-spot reporting about the worst natural disaster in decades in south China while protecting the safety of front-line journalists and providing them with logistical support.

The circular instructed publication administrations to deliver free books, periodicals and newspapers to those in disaster areas. Publication organizations in these areas should ensure that text books for primary and middle schools were printed and distributed to every student before the semester began in late February, according to the circular.

Public libraries and state-owned book stores in disaster areas should open to the public, so that those who couldn't get home for Lunar New Year could enjoy reading.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2008)