The FCCC publicly denounces the spate of targeted attacks on press freedom in China seen in recent months – a trend that has been worsening since February. We do so in our own name and not on behalf of any of the individuals or media groups that have been affected.
A worrying number of incidents have been noted in recent months, including temporary detention, visa revocation, and a growing pattern of intimidation directed at interview partners and journalists themselves, alongside the denial of access to official events.
These episodes, widely known in the foreign correspondent community in China, have been directed against major foreign media companies and individual foreign correspondents after they published reports deemed sensitive or uncomfortable by the Chinese government. Many of those affected have decided not to go public fearing further retaliation. The FCCC is convinced that it is only by speaking out that the working conditions of foreign correspondents in China can improve.
The FCCC deplores the use of intimidation and threats, as well as access and accreditation restrictions as weapons to exert control over information or to induce self-censorship. We note that this is against the most basic principles of freedom of the press and incompatible with the minimum standards of journalism.