China: CPJ Welcomes Release of Investigative Journalist Jailed Since 1998
New York, December 12, 2006–The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the early release of investigative reporter Gao Qinrong, who served eight years of a 12-year prison sentence for his reporting on a corrupt irrigation scheme in northern China’s Shanxi Province. “The long imprisonment of Gao Qinrong is a horrible reminder that even those journalists who…
Internet fuels rise in number of jailed journalists
New York, December 7, 2006–The number of journalists jailed worldwide for their work increased for the second consecutive year, and one in three is now an Internet blogger, online editor, or Web-based reporter, according to an analysis by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
U.S. reporters detained while interviewing source
DECEMBER 2, 2006 Posted: December 20, 2006 Joseph Kahn, The New York Times Roger Cohen, International Herald Tribune HARASSED Agents from the local police, Foreign Ministry office and Customs Department detained Kahn, The New York Times Beijing bureau chief, and International Herald Tribune reporter Roger Cohen while they were interviewing a businessman in Zigui, near…
China: Court upholds conviction of New York Times researcher
New York, December 1, 2006—The High Court of Beijing on Friday upheld a fraud conviction in August against Zhao Yan, the Chinese researcher for The New York Times who has been jailed since September 2004. Zhao was tried on the fraud charge and leaking state secrets in June, in closed proceedings at which he was…
Ching Cheong conviction upheld
UPDATED: November 27, 2006 Original Case: August 31, 2006 Ching Cheong, The Straits Times LEGAL ACTION The Beijing Higher People’s Court upheld Ching’s espionage conviction in a closed hearing on November 24. Ching, a Hong Kong reporter for The Straits Times, was sentenced to five years in prison in August.
At International Olympic Committee headquarters, CPJ raises concerns about press freedom in China
Lausanne, Switzerland, November 15, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists called on the International Olympic Committee today to address the erosion of press freedom in China during the run-up to the Olympic Games in Beijing in August 2008. A CPJ delegation voiced its concerns that Chinese journalists, in particular, will bear the brunt of official retribution…
In China, Zhao Yan denied an open appeal hearing
New York, November 3, 2006—Court officials will not grant an open hearing in an appeal filed by New York Times researcher Zhao Yan, who is jailed on fraud charges, defense lawyer Guan Anping told CPJ. Guan said that the decision defied clear regulations allowing for open proceedings in criminal cases that do not involve state…
China: Beijing court denies open hearing in Ching Cheong appeal
New York, October 30, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Chinese authorities’ denial of an open appeal hearing in the espionage case of Ching Cheong, a Hong Kong reporter for The Straits Times sentenced to five years in prison in August. Instead, the court will review documents behind closed doors before ruling on Ching’s appeal.
CPJ condemns two-year sentence of online journalist Li Jianping
New York, October 26, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the two-year prison sentence given to Internet writer Li Jianping on Wednesday, more than six months after he was tried on charges of “inciting subversion of state authority.” Li, who was initially accused of defaming national leaders through his writings, plans to appeal the verdict,…