28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Authorities maintained efforts to tightly control the flow of information ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23543]

"The Chinese authorities maintained efforts to tightly control the flow of information. They decided what topics and news stories could be published, and media outlets were sometimes required to respond within minutes to government directives. The authorities continued to block websites and to filter internet content based on specified words and topics.
Around 30 journalists were known to be in prison and at least 50 individuals were in prison for posting their views on the internet. People were often punished simply for accessing banned websites.
Despite a temporary loosening of regulations applying to foreign journalists in China in the run-up to the Olympics, control over both foreign and Chinese journalists remained tight, and many Chinese journalists were imprisoned for reporting on sensitive subjects. In April, the Ministry of Public Security reportedly ordered the screening of all those attending the Beijing Olympics, with 43 categories of people to be barred, including some based on political or religious beliefs."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Government officials continued to detain, harass, and intimidate foreign journalists ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22852]

"On January 1, the government implemented new temporary regulations governing foreign media coverage related to the 2008 Olympic Games. The regulations, which are set to expire October 17, 2008, eliminate the requirement that foreign journalists must obtain permission from local authorities before conducting interviews and investigations outside Beijing and Shanghai. The FCCC reported that although the regulations improved overall reporting conditions for foreign journalists, the government and state security officials continued to detain, harass, and intimidate foreign journalists; they were also still required to apply for the rarely granted official permits to visit the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and XUAR. In March security forces detained and expelled two BBC journalists from Zhushan, Hunan Province, who were investigating reports of the death of a student during a protest. During an August trip to the XUAR, a journalist for Le Monde newspaper was interrogated and searched by local authorities. According to the journalist, his sources in the XUAR were also questioned and intimidated after meeting with him.
Detention and harassment of journalists and Chinese employees working for foreign media outlets raised concern that local officials were attempting to intimidate foreign correspondents and newspapers. However, some foreign journalists reported that the temporary regulations widened access to individuals and topics that previously would have been strictly prohibited. Reuters interviewed prominent dissident Bao Tong on more than one occasion, as well as Xinna, the wife of Inner Mongolian political prisoner Hada. In July an FCCC survey found that 40 percent of foreign correspondents said they had encountered government interference, including intimidation of sources, detention, surveillance, and violence. Fifteen correspondents operating under the new rules reported that they had been detained. Some journalists said they encountered difficulties with officials who refused to accept the regulations. Some foreign academics and journalists critical of the country continued to be denied visas."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Journalists continued to suffer harassment, detention, and imprisonment ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23072]

"Journalists who reported on topics that met with the government's or local authorities' disapproval continued to suffer harassment, detention, and imprisonment. In July local authorities from Henan Province initially blocked a story that uncovered more than 1,000 illegal slave laborers in the brick kilns in Henan and Shanxi provinces, most of whom were kidnapped children or persons with mental disabilities. A state council information official criticized the local authorities' actions, and the story was covered extensively. However, within two weeks the propaganda department reportedly issued an order to stop the discussion. The local journalist, Fu Zhenzhong, was not permitted to speak with foreign correspondents, and families questioned by the foreign media were visited by the police, who reportedly urged them to avoid contact with outsiders. Although the factory owner, his foremen, and several other low-level bosses were prosecuted, only four officials, including one police officer, were prosecuted. Ninety-five party members who were implicated in the effort to cover up received warnings (see sections 5 and 6.c.)."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Local governments continued to use anonymous thugs suspected of being plainclothes police personnel to intimidate journalists ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23073]

"Local governments continued to use anonymous thugs suspected of being plainclothes police personnel to intimidate journalists. In January thugs beat to death LAN Chengzhang, a reporter for the China Trade Times, who was researching illegal coal mines in Hunyuan, Shanxi Province. The thugs allegedly were hired by the owner of the coal mine, but local police reportedly obstructed the activities of journalists who went to Hunyuan to investigate Lan's death. In August unidentified assailants reportedly beat five local journalists, including one from the People's Daily, who were reporting on a bridge collapse in Fenghuang, Hunan Province. Local officials detained the reporters and accused them of "illegal reporting," while the assailants were reportedly released without change."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

NGOs reported that at least 29 journalists and 51 cyber dissidents remained imprisoned ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23074]

"Journalists who remained in prison included Ching Cheong, Lu Gengsong, Lu Jianhua, Huang Jinqiu, Li Changqing, Yu Huafeng, Li Minying, Cheng Yizhong, and Shi Tao. International NGOs reported that at least 29 journalists and 51 cyber dissidents remained imprisoned.

Government officials used criminal prosecution, civil lawsuits, and other punishments to intimidate authors and block controversial writings. On April 13, writer and painter Yan Zhengxue was sentenced to three years in prison for inciting subversion in connection with articles he posted on foreign Web sites attacking CCP leaders. Yan was detained in October 2006 and formally changed with inciting subversion in November 2006."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Journalists and editors who exposed corruption scandals frequently faced problems with the authorities ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23075]

"During the year journalists and editors who exposed corruption scandals frequently faced problems with the authorities. Newspapers and journalists who reported on corruption without government or party approval faced possible sanction, although authorities allowed reporting on some high-profile cases. Propaganda officials restricted independent reporting of the case of former Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Liangyu, who was dismissed from the CCP in July for corruption, and ordered publications to rely only on Xinhua News Agency reports for their coverage of this topic. Similar restrictions applied in the case of Zheng Xiaoyu, the former director of the State Food and Drug Administration, who was executed on July 10. Qi Chonghua, a Shandong Fazhi Zaobao journalist, was reportedly detained on June 25 and held for two months after reporting allegations of government corruption in Tengzhou, Shandong."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Authorities continued to block reporting and restricted journalists from covering protests ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23077]

"Authorities continued to block reporting and restricted journalists from covering protests, including the June 1 and 2 demonstrations in Xiamen, during which an estimated 10,000 residents marched against the proposed construction of a chemical plant. Following the protest city authorities banned anonymous online postings. Police also detained protest organizer Li Yiqiang the day after the march and charged him with illegal assembly."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Uighur writers and editors reportedly were jailed in 2005 for publishing stories that authorities maintained advocated separatism ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23080]

"During the year authorities in Urumqi, XUAR, destroyed over 25,000 "illegal" religious books. In 2006 XUAR authorities reported confiscating publications about Islam with "unhealthy content." Uighur writers and editors, including the editor of the Kashgar Literature Journal, Korash Huseyin, reportedly were jailed in 2005 for publishing stories that authorities maintained advocated separatism. Authorities continued to ban books containing content they deemed controversial. In January the GAPP reportedly banned eight books. Most of the banned titles dealt with China's recent history, including Zhang Yihe's Past Stories of Peking Opera Actors."

Document(s): Open document

06.2007 - Source: Freedom House

Freedom of speech on topics deemed politically sensitive remains severely limited; journalists who do not adhere to party dictates on news content are harassed, fired, or jailed ("Freedom in the World 2007") [ID 20399]

"Under the constitution, Chinese citizens enjoy freedoms of speech, press, assembly, association, and demonstration. Although freedom of expression continues to expand in the private realm, freedom of speech on topics deemed politically sensitive by the CCP remains severely limited. The tightly controlled media are barred from criticizing senior leaders or their policies. Journalists who do not adhere to party dictates on news content are harassed, fired, or jailed. In 2006, Singapore Straits Times reporter Ching Cheong, New York Times researcher Zhao Yan, and Bijie Daily reporter Li Yuanlong were imprisoned. In addition, a number of 2005 regulations—requiring publishers to refrain from reprinting books of questionable political correctness and allowing the confiscation of banned books; restricting popular access to foreign films and television programs; and encouraging the media to engage in self-censorship—were put into effect in 2006. A draft Emergency Management Law issued in July 2006 contained provisions for imposing heavy fines on Chinese and foreign journalists who report on natural disasters, accidents, health hazards, and social disturbances without government approval. New regulations in September 2006 gave Xinhua, China’s official news agency, the authority to censor and regulate the content produced by foreign news agencies serving mainland subscribers, and the power to revoke agencies’ licenses to operate, drawing widespread criticism from press freedom advocates and foreign governments."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

The government's crackdown on journalists, writers, and Internet users intensified ("Annual Report 2007") [ID 20011]

"The government's crackdown on journalists, writers, and Internet users intensified. Numerous popular newspapers and journals were shut down. Hundreds of international websites remained blocked and thousands of Chinese websites were shut down. Dozens of journalists were detained for reporting on sensitive issues.

The government strengthened systems for blocking, filtering, and monitoring the flow of information. New regulations came into effect requiring foreign news agencies to gain approval from China's official news agency in order to publish any news. Many foreign journalists were detained for short periods."

Document(s): Open document
Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Journalists continued to suffer harassment, detention, and imprisonment ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19084]

"Some citizens continued to speak out and publish on controversial topics, despite the government's restrictions. For example, in January Guangzhou Professor Yuan Weishi wrote an article in Freezing Point, a popular investigative segment in the China Youth Daily newspaper, calling for a reassessment of sensitive historical points, resulting in a six-week suspension of the publication

Journalists who reported on topics that met with the government's or local authorities' disapproval continued to suffer harassment, detention, and imprisonment. [...]

International NGOs reported that at year's end 32 journalists and 50 cyberdissidents remained in prison.

Detention of journalists and Chinese employees working for foreign media outlets increased concern that the government was attempting to intimidate foreign correspondents and newspapers. In August the Beijing Intermediate Court sentenced Hong Kong-born journalist Cheng Xiang (more commonly known as Ching Cheong) of the Singapore Straits Times to five years in prison for espionage. NGOs reported he was detained while researching a story about former leader Zhao Ziyang, while the government claimed he accepted money from overseas intelligence groups. New York Times employee Zhao Yan was sentenced in August to three years in prison for fraud after a Beijing court unexpectedly dismissed charges of divulging state secrets, which could have carried a 10-year sentence. Zhao maintained his innocence, and his lawyer criticized the courts for not allowing Zhao to testify, call on witnesses, or present evidence to the court.

In addition, to criminal prosecution of writers, some government officials used civil lawsuits and other punishments to intimidate authors and block controversial writings. [...]

The government continued to close publications and punish journalists for printing material deemed too sensitive. In January the propaganda department suspended publication of Freezing Point."

Document(s): Open document

01.2007 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Less tolerance for critical newspaper articles and nationals working for foreign newspapers ("World Report 2007") [ID 18567]

"The CCP and government authorities grew less tolerant of newspapers’ exposés of official corruption, rural protests, suspect land deals, and legal misconduct. In January 2006, on orders from party officials, China Youth Daily temporarily closed Freezing Point (Bingdian), its weekly supplement, ostensibly for running an article asserting that Chinese textbooks rewrote history. Despite some unusually outspoken protests, the first ever by former senior party officials, Bingdian could not reopen until editor-in-chief Li Datong and his deputy were “reassigned.”

[...]

Foreign journalists are not exempt from harassment, detention, and occasional violence. In August, the Foreign Correspondent Club of China (FCCC) reported “widespread detentions” and some instances of physical assaults of foreign reporters. Chinese nationals working for foreign newspapers are especially vulnerable. In September, Zhao Yan, a researcher for the New York Times, was sentenced to three years on fraud charges following a trial marred by due process violations."

Document(s): Open document

12.2006 - Source: Congressional-Executive Commission on China

Party uses journalists, artists, academics to promote "harmonious society" ("China Human Rights and Rule of Law Update (December 2006)") [ID 19568]

"The Communist Party Central Committee issued the Resolution on Major Issues Regarding the Building of a Harmonious Socialist Society (Resolution) on October 11, calling on news publications, radio, film, television, literature, the arts, and the social sciences to "insist on the correct orientation" and "sing the main theme" as part of the Party's campaign to build a "harmonious society." The phrase "sing the main theme" has been defined by one Party official as meaning to "carry forward a nationalist spirit whose core is patriotism" and "carry forward collectivist and socialist ideology and allow it to become the main stream of modern times." The Resolution, issued at the end of the Sixth Plenum of the Party's 16th Central Committee, also recommends increased control over the Internet to ensure that it is used in a "civilized" manner, saying "the Internet should be made an important battlefield for promoting a harmonious society."

The Resolution includes additional instructions on how journalists, writers, artists, and academics should construct a "healthy ideological public opinion atmosphere" for purposes of building the "harmonious society." News media should "publicize what the Party stands for," "provide guidance on social hot-button issues," and succeed at public opinion supervision. Academics in the areas of philosophy and social sciences should focus their research on "major and practical issues" and "insist on using Marxism as their guide." Writers and artists should produce upbeat works that develop the "true, good, and beautiful" and "enrich the cultural life of the masses." The Resolution also provides that the Sweep Away Pornography and Strike Down Illegal Publications campaign should continue in full force.

Underscoring the Party's concern about rising social unrest, the 2006 plenum was devoted to the theme of building a "harmonious society," and was the first ever to focus on "social development matters other than political and economic affairs," according to an October 11 Xinhua article. The Party first pledged to build a more "harmonious society" in 2002, according to the Xinhua article, but the sixth plenum has now increased the campaign's importance. According to the Central Committee's communiqué issued on October 11 in connection with the plenum, "there exist many contradictions and problems which affect social harmony," and the plenum decided to "put the building of the harmonious socialist society to a more prominent place.""

Document(s): Open document

27.10.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Beijing: Hong Kong journalist beaten by guards inside People’s Congress ("Hong Kong journalist beaten by guards inside People’s Congress in Beijing") [ID 17932]

Document(s): Open document

20.10.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Court orders journalist freed but stops short of quashing his conviction ("Court orders journalist freed but stops short of quashing his conviction") [ID 17933]

Document(s): Open document

19.10.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

New purge at China Youth Daily ("New purge at China Youth Daily") [ID 17934]

Document(s): Open document

29.09.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Guangdong province: 8 journalists severely beaten by plain-clothes police and security guards when trying to cover fatal road accident ("Eight journalists beaten by plain clothes police") [ID 17935]

Document(s): Open document

01.09.2006 - Source: Guardian

Hong Kong reporter Cheong for a Singapore newspaper sentenced by a court to 5 years in prison on charges of spying for Taiwan ("Reporter jailed for five years on spying charges") [ID 17937]

Document(s): Open document

31.08.2006 - Source: BBC News

Hong Kong journalist Ching Cheong who has been in detention since April 2005 has been jailed for 5 years after being convicted by a court of buying information and passing it to Taiwan's intelligence services over a period of 5 years from mid-2000 to March 2005 ("China reporter jailed for spying") [ID 17938]

Document(s): Open document

31.08.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Reduction of the demand for punitive libel damages against 2 journalists who investigated alleged labor abuses by an Apple Computer subcontractor ("Apple subcontractor reduces libel damages claim") [ID 17939]

Document(s): Open document

30.08.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Filing of a defamation suit and freezing of the assets of 2 journalists who investigated alleged labor abuses by a maker of Apple iPods ("CPJ troubled by libel case against journalists") [ID 17940]

Document(s): Open document

25.08.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

New York Times researcher Zhao Yan, detained since 2004, was acquitted on charges of revealing state secrets but convicted of a lesser count of fraud and sentenced to 3 years in prison; continuing intimidation of journalists by authorities ("Prosecution of Zhao Yan reflects China’s ongoing media crackdown") [ID 17942]

Document(s): Open document

24.08.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Zhuang Daohe has received no pay for 7 months and has been suspended from his editorial job at the Zhejiang University publishing house for writing a book about the way the ruling Communist Party disciplines its members ("Book editor suspended for writing about Communist Party’s disciplinary system") [ID 17944]

Document(s): Open document

21.08.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Journalist Zan Aizong freed after spending a week in administrative detention after being accused of “spreading rumours harmful to society” for reporting on foreign websites that a protestant church being built in the southeast province of Zhejiang was demolished by authorities; the newspaper Haoyang Bao fired Zan and its Zhejiang bureau chief from their jobs ("Journalist freed after one week but fired from newspaper") [ID 17945]

Document(s): Open document

16.08.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Beijing: Trial of Singaporean Straits Times daily correspondent Ching Cheong shows that authorities have no evidence for the spying charge against him ("Ching Cheong’s trial is "travesty of justice"") [ID 17946]

Document(s): Open document

15.08.2006 - Source: BBC News

Trial of chief China correspondent for Singapore's Straits Times, detained since April 2005 for alleged espionage for Taiwan, has begun ("HK reporter 'on trial in Beijing'") [ID 17947]

Document(s): Open document

11.08.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Hangzhou journalist Zan Aizong placed under a 7-day administrative detention by authorities after warnings to stop writing about arrests and injuries involving Christians protesting against the demolition of a church ("Journalist detained after writing about police clashes with Christians") [ID 17948]

Document(s): Open document

11.08.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Online journalist Li Jianping in detention for 14 months without verdict; Chinese authorities violate the juridical system's legal procedures ("Online journalist still awaiting verdict four months after trial") [ID 17950]

Document(s): Open document

11.08.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Journalist Zan Aizong arrested in Hangzhou after posting reports on the Internet about government repression of Christians ("Journalist arrested for posting reports about crackdown on Christians") [ID 17951]

Document(s): Open document

25.07.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Newspaper editor was beaten to death by policeman in public; violence against journalists is increasing as press tackles issues of crime and corruption ("Policeman beats Guizhou editor to death in public") [ID 17009]

Document(s): Open document

20.07.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Hong Kong journalist Ching Cheong, whose trial is due to open in Beijing in the next few days after being wrongly accused of spying and having been held in custody by state security for the past 15 months, to be released for lack of evidence ("Call for release of Ching Cheong for lack of evidence") [ID 17010]

Document(s): Open document

13.07.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Newspaper reporter Li Yuanlong received two-years prison sentence for articles he wrote for overseas Web sites; Li reported for the daily Bijie Ribao on rural poverty and unemployment in Guizhou Province ("CPJ condemns two-year prison sentence of journalist Li Yuanlong") [ID 17011]

Document(s): Open document

16.06.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Journalist Hayatullah Khan has been found dead; according to local government officials, Khan had been shot in the back of the head, probably on Thursday ("Missing journalist found killed") [ID 17013]

Document(s): Open document

16.06.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Beijing: New York Times researcher Zhao Yan tried on charges of divulging state secrets and fraud behind closed doors, in just a few hours and without witnesses being questioned ("Zhao Yan tried quickly behind closed doors, without witnesses appearing in court") [ID 17014]

Document(s): Open document

15.06.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Longhui: People’s court imposes one-year prison sentence on journalist Yang Xiaoqing after convicting him on trumped-up charge of “extortion” ("Journalist who denounced local corruption gets a year in prison") [ID 17015]

Document(s): Open document

01.06.2006 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Chronology of key events of journalist Zhao Yan’s Case 2004-2006; he was arrested by state security forces for reporting about the conflict between President Hu Jintao and ex-President Jiang Zemin over senior military appointments in 2004 ("Chronology of Zhao Yan’s Case") [ID 17017]

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Journalists ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 17358]

"The authorities became increasingly intolerant of reporting which covered sensitive issues or questioned government policies. There was a renewed crackdown on journalists and the media. Those reporting on sensitive issues or who challenged the status quo were at risk of dismissal, arbitrary detention or imprisonment. Broadly defined “state secrets” offences continued to be used to prosecute journalists and reporters. Restrictions on Internet use were tightened and dozens of people remained behind bars for accessing or circulating politically sensitive information on-line.

Journalist Shi Tao was sentenced to 10 years in prison in April for leaking “state secrets”. He had posted to an overseas website Communist Party instructions on how journalists should handle the 15th anniversary of the crackdown on the 1989 pro-democracy movement."

Document(s): Open document

12.05.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Journalist Li Yuanlong accused of inciting subversion after poting articals critical of government online ("Guizhou reporter Li Yuanlong tried for inciting subversion") [ID 17019]

Document(s): Open document

12.05.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Jilin: 5 journalists physically attacked by mine employees and security guards while trying to cover accident in Meihe coal mine ("Five journalists attacked while covering coal mine accident") [ID 17020]

Document(s): Open document

11.05.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Media restrictions continue; journalists face more pressure than ever ("After pledging press freedom for Olympics, China falls far short") [ID 17021]

Document(s): Open document

02.05.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Hunan province: Journalist Yang Xiaoqing, who reported on graft among local officials, to be tried on May 10 for extortion and blackmail; his lawyer does not think he will have a fair trial ("Yang Xiaoqing to be tried in Longhui County court") [ID 17022]

Document(s): Dokument

24.04.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Journalist Ching Cheong in jail for one year after seeking documents about former Communist Party of China leader Zhao Ziyang, who died in January 2005 while still under house arrest for negotiating with pro-democracy protesters in 1989 ("Call for Ching Cheong’s release in the absence of proof") [#50082],  [ID 17023]

Document(s): Open document

06.04.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Hunan province: Journalist Yang Xiaoqing detained since 22 January on doubtful charge of trying to extort 800,000 yuan (81,000 euros) from local officials for not accusing them of corruption in his newspaper reports; prior to arrest Yang spent 5 months in hiding after writing 2 articles about local corruption last year ("Journalist held in Hunan province after writing about local government corruption") [#48560],  [ID 17024]

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Privacy complaint from representative for the family of jailed journalist Tao against US Internet firm Yahoo for its role in the imprisonment and for violating personal data privacy ordinance ("Privacy complaint from representative for the family of jailed journalist Tao against US Internet firm Yahoo for its role in the imprisonment and for violating personal data privacy ordinance") [#48073],  [ID 17025]

Document(s): Open document

23.03.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Detained New York Times researcher Zhao Yan being held illegally 6 days after court in Beijing ordered his release since charges of “divulging state secrets” and "fraud" against him had been dropped ("Zhao Yan still not released, now being held illegally") [#47332],  [ID 17027]

Document(s): Open document

21.03.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Blogger and documentary filmmaker Hao Wu held in detention since 22 February after attending a meeting of members of a protestant church not recognised by the government as part of the preparation of his next documentary ("Blogger and documentary filmmaker held for the past month") [#47328],  [ID 17029]

Document(s): Open document

17.03.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Government dropped charges of revealing state secrets against New York Times researcher Zhao Yan, who was detained for one and a half years ("CPJ hails dropping of charges against NY Times researcher") [#46878],  [ID 17031]

Document(s): Open document

07.03.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Authorities detain more than 400 people and shut down several media outlets ahead of the National People's Congress' annual session ("Hundreds detained in connection with National People's Congress [ASA 17/017/2006]") [#45894],  [ID 17032]

Document(s): Open document

23.02.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Communist Party (CCP) resorts to various suppression techniques against media; removal of noncomplying editors, financial incentives for self-censorship, compulsory "brain-washing" training sessions and closing publications ("China: Report Says Media Control Is Tightening") [#44943],  [ID 4086]

Document(s): Open document

23.02.2006 - Source: BBC News

According to former journalism professor, Communist Party's control over media is ebbing away, as more and more people are demanding more freedom of expression and resistance to old propaganda policies ("China's censored media answers back") [#44914],  [ID 4087]

Document(s): Open document

22.02.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Trials of New York Times and The Straits Times journalists Zhao Yan and Ching Cheong for "divulging state secrets" and "fraud" adjourned for lack of evidence ("Trials of Zhao Yan and Ching Cheong adjourned for lack of evidence") [#45007],  [ID 4088]

Document(s): Open document

08.02.2006 - Source: Tageszeitung

Chinese journalist Wu Xianghu died 3 months after attack by policemen; he was beaten up by 50 policemen in October 2005 ("Redakteur gestorben") [#43708],  [ID 17035]

Document(s): Open document

02.2006 - Source: Freedom House

Report on state control over news media (party monitoring of news content, legal restrictions on journalists and financial incentives for self-censorship) ("Speak No Evil: Mass Media Control in Contemporary China") [#44944],  [ID 4084]

Document(s): Open document

02.2006 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Annual report on press freedom in 2005 ("Attacks on the Press in 2005") [#44087],  [ID 4085]

Document(s): Open document

21.11.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Xinjiang region, Kashgar: Editor of Kashgar Literature Review sentenced to 3 years in prison for publishing fable supposedly alluding to region’s harsh laws ("Editor of literary review gets three years in prison") [#39502],  [ID 4089]

Document(s): Open document

04.11.2005 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Hunan: Journalist transferred to Chishan Prison, which is commonly used to hold political prisoners, after court rejected his appeal; he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for "leaking state secrets" ("On Journalists' Day in China, Shi Tao will be in a high-security prison") [#38738],  [ID 4090]

Document(s): Open document

21.10.2005 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Beijing: China correspondent for Singapore daily The Straits Times, has been held for 6 months without charge or access to lawyer ("China: Journalist Ching Cheong imprisoned without lawyer") [#38382],  [ID 4091]

Document(s): Open document

11.10.2005 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Guangdong province: 2 journalists trying to cover ongoing tensions between local authorities and residents in village of Taishi struck and threatened by unidentified men; they were then detained by police as they tried to enter village ("Reporters attacked while covering political dispute in Chinese village") [#37694],  [ID 4092]

Document(s): Open document

26.09.2005 - Source: Guardian

State banned spreading of any news with content that is against national security and public interest; Chinese journalist and former professor given 7-year sentence for "inciting subversion" by writing articles for banned overseas news websites ("China's leaders launch smokeless war against internet and media dissent") [#37020],  [ID 4093]

Document(s): Open document

23.09.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Yingkou: 7-year-prison sentence imposed on journalist following his conviction for “incitement to subversion” ("Seven-year prison sentence for journalist Zheng Yichun puts his life in danger") [#37083],  [ID 4094]

Document(s): Open document

05.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Continued often-violent protests by locals over corruption, land-grabs, taxation or environmental issues in rural areas; in response, security officials set up elite police squads in 36 cities to deal with riots and measures are taken to limit journalistic coverage of events ("China: Frustrated Citizens Take To The Streets") [#36267],  [ID 4095]

Document(s): Open document

05.08.2005 - Source: BBC News

Hong Kong journalist formally charged with spying for Taiwan; if convicted, he could face death penalty ("China charges HK reporter as spy") [#34873],  [ID 4096]

Document(s): Open document

01.06.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Contributor to New York Times accused of fraud by Chinese authorities ("Zhao Yan of the New York Times accused of fraud") [#32528],  [ID 4097]

Document(s): Open document

31.05.2005 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Bejing: Senior Hong Kong-based journalist Ching Cheong detained on suspicion of espionage; Foreign Ministry provided no evidence for allegation and did not clarify for which country journalist was suspected of spying ("China detains senior Hong Kong journalist") [#32549],  [ID 4098]

Document(s): Open document

20.05.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Zhongshan: Journalist with Nanfang Dushi Bao (Southern Metropolis Daily) had two fingers cut off by unknown assailants ("Journalist on daily Nanfang Dushi Bao has two fingers cut off") [#32162],  [ID 4099]

Document(s): Open document

04.2005 - Source: UK Home Office

Country Report April 2005 - Journalists ("Country Report - April 2005") [#31975],  [ID 4100]

"6.20 As reported by the USSD Report 2004, “There were a few privately owned print publications, but they were subject to pre- and post-publication censorship. There were no privately owned television or radio stations, and the Government had authority to approve all programming, although it occasionally did not preview all programs.” [2j] (Section 2 a.)

6.21 As noted by Europa Regional Surveys of the World: The Far East and Australasia (2005), “In late 1999 the Government announced its intention to merge or close down a number of newspapers, leaving just a single publication in each province. In June 2003 the Government barred all newspapers from taking subscriptions for 2004, in an attempt to prevent them from coercing readers into buying subscriptions. In November 2003 the Government suspended 678 unprofitable state run newspapers under new regulations requiring the large majority of newspapers to become financially independent from central Government.” [1a] (p 219)

6.22 Europa also stated, “In September 2001 the Government signed a deal that would allow News Corpn and AOL Time Warner to become the first foreign broadcasters to have direct access to China’s markets, although broadcasts would be restricted to Guangdong Province.” [1a] (p 223) According to a report by the BBC dated 18 November 2004, “Over 300 million Chinese households are thought to have televisons.” [9bo]

6.23 According to the annual report (2004) of Reporters Without Borders:

“During 2003, as never before, journalists, particularly the major media, pushed back the limits of censorship. It remained, however, strictly forbidden to publicly criticise the sole party system. At least 23 journalists and about 50 cyberdissidents are in jail, often serving long sentences, for having called for democracy or denouncing abuses on the part of the communist authorities. Throughout 2003, around a dozen other journalists were punished for raising sensitive issues.” [8gc] (p 1)

6.24 The same source also stated, “Overall the press was modernising and journalists were taking more risks by investigating social issues. One proof of this was the growing number of physical attacks on journalists. One newspaper reported in October that more than 100 Chinese journalists had been assaulted while doing their jobs in 2003. Vigilantes, police and delinquents angered by their investigations carried out these attacks.” [8gc] (p 1)

6.25 According to dissident political commentator Liu Xiaobo speaking to the Asian news site Muzi on 14 October 2004, the authorities find it hard to crack down on independently minded journalists because they are part of the system. Of the three cases highlighted in this report one was held on suspicion of leaking state secrets to foreigners, another was accused of corruption and detained for five months, and a third escaped censure. [15ac]

6.26 According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) who in their report “Attacks on the Press 2003”, “Local officials and private citizens implicated in investigative media reports increasingly use physical force to threaten and intimidate journalists. In November, the official press reported that journalism had become the third most dangerous career in China, following coal mining and police work.”"

Document(s): Open document

08.12.2004 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Freelance journalist detained by Chinese authorities because of his writings criticizing Chinese policy; the total number of jailed journalists in the country is now 42 ("China: Journalist imprisoned") [#27576],  [ID 4101]

Document(s): Open document

03.12.2004 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Some 25 Chinese journalists and 62 cyberdissidents are reportedly currently imprisoned ("Reformist journalists and intellectuals punished and censored") [#27580],  [ID 4102]

Document(s): Open document

02.12.2004 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Free journalist Yu Dongyue has gone insane as a result of being tortured in prison ("Journalist Yu Dongyue reportedly loses his mind after being tortured") [#27440],  [ID 4103]

Document(s): Open document

30.11.2004 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Journalist, imprisoned since 1992 for "spreading counterrevolutionary propaganda", released; 42 journalists still behind bars ("China: One journalist released, 42 still behind bars") [#27430],  [ID 4104]

Document(s): Open document

21.10.2004 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Formal arrest order for New York Times researcher issued; he was detained since September on suspicion of "providing state secrets to foreigners" ("China: New York Times researcher formally arrested") [#26565],  [ID 4105]

Document(s): Open document

24.09.2004 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Shanghai: news assistant at the New York Times Beijing bureau and a former reporter for Beijing-based China Reform magazine, detained/ he was accused of "providing state secrets to foreigners" ("China: CPJ protests journalist's detention") [#25751],  [ID 4106]

Document(s): Open document

31.08.2004 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

2 Chinese authors who wrote a banned book investigating local corruption and mistreatment of peasants in Anhui Province, sued ("China: Writers sued for libel") [#25340],  [ID 4107]

Document(s): Open document

30.08.2004 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Editor-in-chief of Nanfang Dushi Bao (Southern Metropolis News), freed after more than five months in detention ("China: Editor released from prison") [#25219],  [ID 4108]

Document(s): Open document

28.08.2004 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

2 journalists released but 2 other editors who were arrested more than five months ago remain in prison ("Former newspaper editor-in-chief freed but two of his journalists still in jail") [#25190],  [ID 4109]

Document(s): Open document

20.08.2004 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Photographer with The Associated Press attacked by Chinese police officers/ photographer for Agence France-Presse, harassed ("China: Police officers attack international journalists") [#24945],  [ID 4110]

Document(s): Open document

03.08.2004 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Writer and translator from the northwestern Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region who had actively advocated for the Uighur ethnic group in Xinjiang, detained since 2002 on charges of "sending secret state information out of the country" ("China: Journalist imprisoned") [#24475],  [ID 4111]

Document(s): Open document

15.06.2004 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Guangdong Province: 2 editors from the Guangzhou-based Nanfang Dushi Bao (Southern Metropolis Daily), received reduced prison sentences on appeal at the Intermediate People's Court in Guangzhou ("Journalists' sentences reduced") [#23320],  [ID 4112]

Document(s): Open document

11.06.2004 - Source: BBC News

The Chinese authorities have begun a new website for people to report on what officials describe as illegal or unhealthy information on the internet ("China creates web vigilante site") [#23332],  [ID 4131]

Document(s): Open document

27.01.2004 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

CPJ: Call for release of imprisoned journalist ("China: CPJ calls for imprisoned journalist's release") [#18983],  [ID 4113]

"The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemns the prolonged detention of journalist Jiang Weiping, who is currently serving a six-year prison sentence in Dalian, Liaoning Province. As of last month, Jiang had served half his sentence and is now eligible for parole under Chinese law. He should be released immediately.

Jiang, a former northeast China bureau chief for the Hong Kong-based Wen Hui Bao newspaper, was arrested in December 2000 after writing a series of articles for the Hong Kong publication Qianshao exposing corruption among senior officials in northeastern Chinese cities. In September 2001, the Dalian Intermediate Court secretly tried Jiang and later sentenced him to eight years in prison on charges of "revealing state secrets" and "inciting to subvert state power."
[...]"

Document(s): Open document

17.12.2003 - Source: Washington Post

Washington Post: Chinese officials held in regional corruption probe; no media outlet has reported the affair ("Chinese Officials Held in Regional Corruption Probe") [#18251],  [ID 4114]

"[...]
Censors have banned most reports about the recent detentions of government officials and none of the accused has spoken out. No media outlet in Fujian province has reported the affair, although in this city of 1.5 million, the provincial capital, it has become the talk of the town, with almost everyone from taxi drivers to hotel maids to bartenders trading gossip.
[...]"

Document(s): Open document

10.2003 - Source: UK Home Office

Country Assessment - October 2003 - Journalists ("Country Report - October 2003") [#49232],  [ID 4115]

"6.21. Journalists are permitted to report in areas of economic and legal reform but are not free to report on political reform. Those who air their views in Hong Kong and Taiwan newspapers may be subject to petty sanctions, such as exit permits denied, housing entitlements revoked and periodic police detention and questioning. The formal charges brought against the dissident Wang Dan were based on public criticisms of the government; his sentence in 1996 to 11 years imprisonment was much harsher than was imposed for his pro-democracy activities in 1989. In the face of ideological controls, many intellectuals and scholars exercise self-censorship.

6.22. In 2002, there were 39 journalists imprisoned in the PRC (figures from Attacks on the Press). Reporting of the 16th Communist Party Congress (November 2002) was tightly restricted. With the authorities particularly sensitive to accusations that newly elected President Hu Jintao was a “puppet” of former President Jiang Zemin. Full details of the journalists arrested and detained in the year 2002 can be obtained in the annual report by Attacks on the Press. http://www.cpj.org/attacks02/asia02/china.html"

Document(s): Open document

06.06.2003 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

OMCT: Reporter and editor for Beijing’s Consumer Daily newspaper sentenced to ten years in prison and began a hunger strike to protest against his ill-treatment and torture in custody/ he and 3 co-defendants were all arrested in March 2001 for the political views that they posted on the internet ("China: torture, hunger strike and harsh sentencing of 4 internet activists [Case CHN 060603]") [#13362],  [ID 4117]

"The four men have reportedly been subjected to ill-treatment and torture during their two year detention without trial, as they have refused to accept their guilt concerning these charges. Xu Wei, who is reported as being particularly stubborn, suffered the harshest treatment, including brutal beatings and electric shocks to his genitals, which have resulted in numbness of the lower body. The four men have reported their treatment to the authorities but have received no response. Attempts by members of their families to pass messages to the men have been blocked, with one official responding "There are no human rights now. These are unusual times – the time of SARS. Don’t you know?""

Document(s): Open document

09.04.2003 - Source: Freedom House

Freedom House: Journalists ("The world`s most repressive regimes 2003") [#12683],  [ID 4118]

"Chinese jails held 36 journalists as of December 2002, 14 of whom were serving time for publishing or distributing information online, according to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. Other journalists have been harassed, detained, threatened, or dismissed from their jobs over their reporting. Officials also recently have suspended or shut down some liberal magazines, newspapers, and publishing houses. While China’s press is both public and private, the government owns and operates all radio and television stations."

Document(s): Open document

03.04.2003 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

CPJ: Journalist Jae Hyun Seok arrested while photographing the exodus of 48 North Korean refugees ("China: CPJ condemns detention of journalist") [#11879],  [ID 4119]

Document(s): Open document

13.03.2003 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

CPJ: China is the world's leading jailer of journalists ("China: CPJ calls on Chinese government to release imprisoned journalists") [#11393],  [ID 4120]

"China currently holds 39 journalists in prison, making the country the world's leading jailer of journalists for the fourth year in a row."

Document(s): Open document

23.01.2003 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

CPJ: South Korean photographer Jae Hyun Seok arrested ("China: CPJ condemns journalist's detention") [#10888],  [ID 4121]

"As part of the Chinese government's crackdown on North Korean refugees, authorities have harassed journalists who report on their plight."

Document(s): Open document

26.09.2002 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

CPJ: Writer detained without official reasons ("Vietnam: CPJ condemns detention of writer") [#8748],  [ID 4124]

"[...]
Police did not disclose the reasons for the writer's arrest, although CPJ sources believe it may be linked to a recent essay he wrote criticizing border agreements between China