Well, I would be grateful if these guys would take the simple minor step of not downplaying the ongoing disasters ongoing just to please their political masters. The day we had our last earthquake most deadly in over 50 years was one of the days in which the local seismic info was held back more.
And it is typical worlwide that the estimates of magnitude are near always downgraded when the later "best" evaluation of the same comes; I don't think it agreeing with the fact of that if on statistical error should be thrown one side or other of average; and all fall to the same side is quite suspicious.
Unfortunately some public servants have not the public interest in mind, but a wish to please the boss.