Lan Chengzhang

New York, March 11, 2010—A state official responsible for media regulation said Wednesday the government should require Chinese journalists to obtain official training to report the news, according to local and international news reports. Domestic journalists already need government-issued identity cards to work in China.  

To request a printed copy of this report, e-mail Development@cpj.org.

New York, January 24, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes Chinese President Hu Jintao’s call for a swift and thorough investigation into the brutal beating of Zhongguo Maoyi Bao (China Trade News) journalist Lan Chengzhang at the site of an illegal mine in northern China’s Shanxi province. Lan died of a brain hemorrhage in Datong city hospital on January 10. Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the case, Chinese media reported.

New York, January 16, 2007—Unidentified men at an illegal coal mine in Huiyuan County, Shanxi Province, severely beat reporter Lan Chengzhang on January 9, leading to his death the following day, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists is investigating to determine whether Lan’s death was connected to his journalism, and it called on authorities to bring the killers to justice.

“We’re appalled at the brutal killing of reporter Lan Chengzhang and call on national authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into his death,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. “Violence against journalists is on the rise in China, and it will continue to put the press in danger unless authorities at the national level make a real effort to investigate these cases and punish those responsible.”