"This wouldn't even happen in China": George Yang.
"This wouldn't even happen in China": George Yang. Photo: Andrew Meares







Chinese journalists covering the missing Malaysia Airlines
flight MH370 from Canberra are furious at what they see as Australian
government control of the media.



On Sunday, two Chinese crews decided to chase Deputy Prime Minister
Warren Truss into a car park at the Australian Maritime Safety
Authority after being denied access to an AMSA briefing attended by
Australian media.




The crews held an impromptu interview with Mr Truss but have complained
at being ''locked out'' of any chance to put questions to AMSA boss John
Young. On Monday, AMSA posted a security guard at the front of its
headquarters.



George Yang, the chief correspondent for Hong Kong's Phoenix Satellite
Television, said he had been asked to prove his credentials while he
prepared to do a cross from public land. ''This wouldn't even happen in
China,'' Yang said.




''It's been very frustrating, there seems to be a Chinese media
blackout. It is unbelievable that this is happening in Australia. There
are relatives in China who are devastated and looking for answers.''



In a statement, AMSA said the security guard had been posted ''to
prevent media vehicles from blocking access to the building and to
prevent unauthorised access.



''AMSA rejects any claims that we are treating members of the Chinese
media any differently to others. Yesterday's media event was a pool
arrangement organised in conjunction with the federal press gallery
committee to allow access to the Rescue Coordination Centre whilst
minimising disruption to the operations.



''Chinese media requested to join the pool but the request was declined
by AMSA and they were advised to contact the press gallery committee to
arrange access to the pool content, which was also made available on our
website.''



AMSA said it had been ''inundated'' with media requests. ''We have
taken the view that it would not be fair to give selective interviews.
That is why we have given two press conferences and provided multimedia
content freely to all media. Chinese media outlets were present at both
press conferences.''