Those who broadcast meteorological forecasts without official authorization and revise the content of weather forecasts without authorization will be fined up to 10,000 yuan (about US$1,200) in China beginning Feb. 1.

The weather forecast release and broadcast management measures, which will come into effect on Feb. 1, include the above regulations.

According to an official with the China Meteorological Administration, some individuals and units released meteorological forecasts without official authorization in recent years, bringing negative impact to the people's lives and the government's disaster relief work, and at the same time ruining the reputation of the country's meteorological stations.

The management measures regulate that in the future, meteorological stations will only release weather forecasts to government-designated TV stations, radio stations, newspapers and websites for broadcasting to the general public. Without the approval of meteorological stations, media may not revise the content of weather forecasts.

(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2004)