Human rights groups have criticized China's handling of information about a flash flood disaster in Tibet, an autonomous region of China, saying authorities have restricted journalists' access to the affected areas.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Monday cited reports that journalists in China had been barred from entering the disaster zone and from interviewing affected families.
"Information controls can make it harder for families to locate loved ones, and hamper understanding of the disaster and any future response," HRW said.
Foreign journalists have required special permission to enter Tibet for years. Since the floods struck last Wednesday, numerous foreign media outlets have reported from neighbouring Nepal, while coverage from south-western Tibet has so far been limited to Chinese state media.
Human rights groups have repeatedly accused Beijing of restricting freedom of expression in Tibet and pursuing cultural assimilation.
Maya Wang, HRW's deputy Asia director, said China's response followed a familiar pattern seen after previous natural disasters.
"As with previous disasters, the choreography is familiar: restrict information, control the narrative, and praise the leadership's resolve and rescue efforts," she said.
The Society for Threatened Peoples also accused the Chinese government of maintaining an ongoing information blockade. Videos showing the destruction at the Gyirong border crossing and the scale of damage on the Tibetan side disappeared from Chinese online platforms within hours, the group said.
Beijing rejected accusations of censorship on Monday. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said China had released information openly, transparently and in a timely manner, adding that "smear and disinformation" were unwelcome during disaster relief efforts.