GARRETT EPPS, at the Washington Post’s “PostGlobal” blog:

The Chinese government, which already severely curtails free expression, is about to pass a law forbidding media in China from reporting “sudden events” such as industrial accidents, natural disasters or public health emergencies in any way that displeases local or national authorities. Americans may be tempted to dismiss the issue as simply a minor tweaking of a foreign authoritarian system, but this would be a grave mistake. All of us — investors, workers and consumers — have a stake in the Chinese media’s fight for independence.

I agree. Read the whole thing.