Chinese legislators on Monday started reviewing drafts of the country's first counter-terrorism law, which officials said could be passed before the month ends.

The draft law, scheduled for a a third reading at the ongoing bi-monthly legislative sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, is China's latest move to address terrorism in its backyard as well as help maintain stability and order worldwide.

Like Us on Facebook

Part of the draft anti-terrorism law deals with the extent of media coverage during a terror attack, drawing concerns from the West about one of its provisions requiring technology firms to hand over sensitive information to the government.

Reports indicate that the draft law contains a provision which bans institutions or individuals from reporting on the details of the terror attacks that might lead to imitation or publish scenes of cruelty and inhumane activities conducted by the terrorists.

A separate clause makes an exception to news media in reporting the details of a terror attack, but this was quickly doused by the provision requiring them to seek the approval of counterterrorism authorities first before covering the incident.

Reports indicate that no personal details of on-scene hostages, workers,or authorities' response to the attack will be reported without the authorization of the counterterrorism authorities.

This obvious 'regulation' of media coverage during a terror attack did not sit well with Western media. Critics say that China's state-run media already operates under the control of the government which usually 'sanitizes' its reports on counter-terrorism.

Over the years, China has tried to pass a systematic law that would deal with domestic terrorism. But for some reason, no law had been passed.

Monday's second reading of the draft law in parliament raised hopes that it would contain measures forceful enough to deal with the growing threat of domestic terrorism, especially from the chaotic western region of Xinjiang.

Last year, China had to struggle with hunting down homegrown terrorists after 29 people were killed and scores were injured by knife-wielding assailants who repeatedly stabbed passengers at a train station in Yunan's capital city, Kunming.

TagsChina's first counterterrorism law, draft law, media regulation, counterterrorism authorities, Xinjiang, homegrown terrorists, Western media, Kunming, media coverage restrictions