Press Freedom in China
A report by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on press freedom in China’s Olympic year highlights significant shortcomings in China’s approach to press freedom during 2008.
The report, China’s Olympic Challenge: Press Freedom in 2008, is the result of an ongoing press freedom monitoring project coordinated by IFJ Asia-Pacific from Sydney and Hong Kong. It examines the major problems faced by foreign and local journalists reporting in China during 2008.
To read the full text in English, traditional Chinese or simplified Chinese, click here
As China prepared to host the Olympic Games in Beijing in August 2008, the attitude
of China's Government toward press freedom, journalists' rights and censorship was under intense international scrutiny. Unlike countries that have used increasing economic prosperity to strengthen democratic rule, China's Central Government has maintained a political monopoly, providing little opportunity for the media and public to press for government accountability and transparency.
Human rights abuses and continued attacks on press freedom make it extremely difficult for journalists and media workers to report accurately and fairly on the workings of their government and country without fear of retribution or imprisonment. Local journalists who report on politically sensitive issues are targeted, and foreign journalists face similar pressures.
To support journalists who report in and about China, the IFJ is running a campaign:
Open and Free – Towards a Democratic Media Culture in China
The campaign seeks to strengthen conditions for independent and professional journalism in China. The campaign works with IFJ affiliates in the region and around the world to create an active monitoring network to report on media rights violations. Through the reporting of repressive actions against journalists, the network is exerting greater pressure on the central and provincial governments, and thus contributing to a more free and democratic China for the future.
The IFJ welcomes all contributions from the press freedom community to the China campaign. Please send information to ifjchina@ifj-asia.org.
- To read the IFJ's latest alerts on China, click here.
- To read the latest monthly China Campaign Bulletin in English, Traditional Chinese, or Simplified Chinese, click here.
- To read about the IFJ's special telephone hotline for journalists covering the Olympic Games, click here.
- To visit Play the Game for Open Journalism, an information portal for journalists covering the Olympics hosted by the IFJ and Play the Game, click the logo below.
May 2008 earthquake in Sichuan: Special Safety information for journalists
The earthquake which struck Sichuan on May 12 2008 brought foreign and local journalists pouring into the province. The IFJ re-issued its Safety Code of Practice along with supplementary information focused on coverage of the disaster. Materials were distributed to IFJ affiliates the Hong Kong Journalists' Association and Association of Taiwan Journalists, as well as to the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Hong Kong and the All China Journalists’ Association.
IFJ Safety Code in Traditional Chinese
Supplementary earthquake information in Traditional Chinese
IFJ Safety Code in Simplified Chinese
Files
- China's Olympic Challenge - Press Freedom in 2008 - English.pdf
- China's Olympic Challenge - Press Freedom in 2008 - Simplifed Chinese.pdf
- China's Olympic Challenge - Press Freedom in 2008 - Traditional Chinese.pdf
- IFJ Letter to US President Nov 09.pdf
- IFJ Letter to US President November 09 Chinese.pdf