What it’s like now for journalists in China
The China Letter: April 6, 2021
China is continuing to wage war on journalists attempting to tell the truth about its policies. From the treatment of Uighur Muslims, to coronavirus lockdowns, to the end of democracy in Hong Kong—in all cases, reporting has been met with intimidation, if not detainment. Keep reading this newsletter to learn more about it:
Media family sent fleeing
“The China media war that pushed me out” by John Sudworth of BBC News details the circumstances surrounding his move to Taiwan after threats from the Chinese authorities. The E.U. accused Beijing of driving out journalists, particularly those covering mistreatment of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, which China still denies doing:
John Sudworth’s wife Yvonne Murray reports on China for RTÉ in Ireland, and she’ll similarly continue doing her work from Taiwan. The ministry of foreign affairs also accused the BBC of falsifying its reporting on the coronavirus, claiming images of a violent lockdown enforcement by Chinese authorities was an “anti-terrorist exercise.”
The social media message
Australian Strategic Policy Institute surveyed information operations activated by China to put a different face on life in Xinjiang. A subsequent report from the Wall Street Journal revealed Facebook staff raising concerns over the platform being used to spread this propaganda via advertising, even if those messages don’t violate policies.
The unrecognizable region
Media tycoon Jimmy Lai was among those found guilty for promoting democracy in the wake of laws that turn Hong Kong’s elections into selections. Chinese state media outlet People’s Daily blasted U.S. consul general Hanscom Smith over related criticism, but they nonetheless agree with him that Hong Kong will be unrecognizable in the future.
More mystery of WHO
Global reaction to the Wuhan field visit report from the World Health Organization was predictably one of dissatisfaction due to limited access provided by Beijing. Virologists remain divided over the theory that COVID-19 originated from a lab leak. Meanwhile, as outbreaks continue in China, their vaccination efforts proceed faster:
The last words, for now
Fellows auction house listed a watch awarded to People’s Liberation Army members to commemorate “quelling the rebellion” that led to the 1989 massacre in Tiananmen Square. The timepiece was soon withdrawn for sale due to social media threats directed at its owner. But now the world knows what the watch looks like:
The China Letter is produced by the Canadian Freedom Institute, a think tank based in Canada. We produce the China Letter every week to keep you informed and to press the ideas of free markets and free people not only in China but around the world. Please consider donating to keep this newsletter running!