In China, a Hong Kong journalist tried in closed-door proceeding
New York, August 15, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the release of Straits Times reporter Ching Cheong, who was tried today in a closed-door proceeding in Beijing. His trial on espionage charges began this morning and ended late this afternoon without an immediate verdict, according to Ching’s employer.
China: Journalist detained afterwriting about police clashes with Christians
New York, August 11, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the detention today of Hangzhou journalist Zan Aizong. Authorities placed Zan under a seven-day administrative detention this evening after warning him to stop writing about arrests and injuries involving Christians protesting the July 29 demolition of a church, according to the Independent Chinese…
China: CPJ condemns closure of popular Web sites
New York, August 2, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply troubled by Beijing authorities’ recent order to shut two popular online forums that featured commentary on social and political issues. The Century China Web sites have been closed since last week, according to international and local news reports. The Communications Administration in Beijing ordered…
China: Policeman beats Guizhou editor to death in public
New York, July 25, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Chinese authorities to fully investigate the death of a newspaper editor who was beaten by a uniformed policeman in public, the second journalist to die at the hands of police in less than a year. Authorities in the southwest province of Guizhou have arrested…
China: CPJ condemns two-year prison sentence of journalist Li Yuanlong
New York, July 13, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists deplores the two-year prison sentence handed today to Bijie Ribao newspaper reporter Li Yuanlong for articles he wrote for overseas Web sites. Li was convicted of “inciting subversion of state authority” in a court in southern China’s Guizhou province, according to international news reports.
Chinese filmmaker, blogger Wu Hao released
New York, July 11, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes today’s release of blogger and documentary filmmaker Wu Hao, who was detained without charge for more than four months. Authorities had denied him access to a lawyer and withheld information on his whereabouts and the allegations against him. “We’re relieved that Wu Hao has been…
African leaders urged to defend press freedom
Your Excellency, The Committee to Protect Journalists urges you as chairman of the African Union to discuss with your fellow heads of state and government at your summit in the Gambian capital, Banjul, from July 1, the need to defend press freedom on the continent.
China plans restrictions on reporting of disasters
New York, June 26, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply troubled by a proposed law that would subject news outlets to fines for reporting on natural disasters, riots, and other emergencies without official approval. The draft law is under review by the country’s legislature, according to state media.
China: New York Times researcher tried in Beijing court
New York, June 16, 2006—Zhao Yan, a researcher for the Beijing bureau of The New York Times, was tried today in closed proceedings on charges of leaking state secrets and fraud, 22 months after he was first detained in Shanghai. The Committee to Protect Journalists called for an end to his unjust imprisonment. No verdict…
China: Ailing journalist sentenced to jail after reporting on corruption
New York, June 15, 2006—A county court in central China today sentenced reporter Yang Xiaoqing to one year in prison on charges of extortion after he wrote about corruption involving local officials. Yang, a reporter for China Industrial Economy News, was arrested in January and charged with extortion and blackmail. His wife, Gong Jie, said…