China Escalates War on International Media

China has escalated its war on international news media with stepped-up harassment of foreign journalists and blocking of foreign news websites. This has sparked renewed discord between the United States and China on issues of press freedom and media access but no concrete action as yet from the United States.

China’s record on press freedom is among the worst in the world. In its 2013 press freedom index, Reporters Without Borders ranked China 173rd out of 179 countries. Conditions for domestic Chinese media are most restrictive, as all domestic media are government-controlled and tightly censored. The Chinese government also seeks, however, to restrict foreign news coverage of China. As the Center for International Media Assistance detailed in a 2013 report, this effort has included political and economic pressure on foreign news organizations, harassment and expulsion of foreign journalists in China, and cyber-attacks on foreign news websites in addition to blocking within China by government censors.

Since 2012 several U.S. journalists have been effectively expelled from China by denial of visa renewals, and some two dozen New York Times and Bloomberg News reporters faced expulsion at the end of 2013 for investigative reporting on the personal wealth and financial ties of top Chinese government officials. China’s 2014 expulsion season has now begun, with New York Times reporter Austin Ramzy forced to leave China on January 30 after Chinese authorities refused to renew his visa.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney issued a statement the same day to protest Ramzy’s expulsion. “These restrictions and treatment are not consistent with freedom of the press,” said Carney, “and stand in stark contrast with U.S. treatment of Chinese and other foreign journalists…. Our two countries should be expanding media exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and trust, not restricting the ability of journalists to do their work. We urge China to commit to timely visa and credentialing decisions for foreign journalists, unblock U.S. media websites, and eliminate other restrictions that impede the ability of journalists to practice their profession.”

China responded to Carney’s statement in characteristic fashion, with denials, recriminations, and thinly-veiled threats. “China does not accept the unjustifiable accusations by the U.S. side, and demands the U.S. side to respect facts and take cautious words and acts,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei, “We also hope that foreign journalists observe Chinese laws and regulations and do news coverage in an objective and fair-minded way.” The latter comment is, of course, a suggestion that if reporters self-censor their work to China’s satisfaction they will be allowed to stay.

Harassment and physical attacks on reporters have also escalated. As prominent human rights activist Xu Zhiyong (许志永) went on trial January 22 in Beijing, Chinese police bullied foreign journalists attempting to report on the trial from outside the court in full view of news cameras. CNN’s David McKenzie and his crew were “kicked, pushed and punched by Chinese security before being forced into a nearby van” (video). BBC’s Martin Patience was harassed by government thugs and pushed away from the trial scene. Sky News reporter Mark Stone was likewise harassed by police outside the court.

Chinese censors have also stepped up blocking of foreign news websites. On January 21, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) released an investigative report based on leaked records revealing the massive offshore holdings of China’s elite. This was followed by massive blocking of foreign news websites that published articles on ICIJ’s findings. An overriding theme in China’s harassment of foreign journalists, blocking of news websites, and prosecution of activists such as Xu Zhiyong is the Chinese government’s effort to prevent knowledge of leaders’ hidden wealth and financial dealings from reaching the Chinese public.

China’s crackdown on U.S. journalists was among the issues Vice President Biden raised with Chinese officials during his December 2013 visit to Beijing. The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) also met in December to discuss China’s treatment of foreign journalists. CECC chair Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) issued a strong statement to China on behalf of journalists: “Today I am calling on China to immediately cease its policy of harassing foreign journalists, denying and delaying their visas, and blocking the websites of foreign media in China. If the situation does not improve, we must consider other steps that Congress may take to address the issue.” Such steps might include U.S. visa reciprocity measures against state-run Chinese media.

With Austin Ramzy’s expulsion, the U.S. government has again issued statements protesting China’s behavior — statements China obviously has no intention of heeding. Perhaps the time has come for America to back up words with actions.

Image credit: CNN.