By Joseph Juhn
Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Asia
Foreign journalists seeking to cover a potential protest in Shanghai were detained by police officers (Photo courtesy of the New York Times)
BEIJING, China – As the anti-government protests continue to spread and topple incumbent dictatorships in North Africa and the Middle East, Chinese officials have begun to crack down on foreign journalists.
On Sunday, about a dozen foreign journalists were detained for two hours in an underground room in Shanghai attempting to cover a protest. Apparently, these journalists showed up to the Peace Cinema near People’s Square to capture images of possible protests when they saw messages on several anonymous Internet sites urging Chinese citizens to conduct a “strolling” protest against the government.
This incident is noteworthy considering the recent pattern of government crack downs on foreign journalists. Only a week ago foreign journalists were reported to being physically harassed by security officers – one videographer even being hospitalized. In response to accusations of violent police actions, China’s foreign minister, Yang Jiechi, denied the police taking any part in beating foreign reporters. He stressed repeatedly that China follows “the rule of law.”
“Foreign journalists should respect and abide by China’s laws and regulations… Beijing is a very big city with a large population. It is important to maintain normal order,” said Jiang, foreign ministry spokeswoman. Although the minister’s denial contradicts eyewitnesses and video accounts, no official investigation is known to be underway.
In Beijing and other major cities, at least a dozen other foreign journalists reported private intrusion, as they were visited in their homes by government officials who repeatedly warned not to cause trouble.
Following the recent controversial events, China announced new restrictions on foreign journalists working in China. Under the new rules, foreign journalists must now have prior government permission to interview anyone in a public area, essentially repealing the loosened reporting policy implemented at the time of the 2008 Beijing Olympics to showcase China’s more tolerant face to the world.
Such intimidation of foreign journalists is a notable shift for the communist regime a sign of the government’s fear of any antigovernment revolts like those that have swept the Middle East and North Africa in the past month.
David Bandurski, a professor at the University of hong Kong who heads the China Media Project said: “They have gone into control mode once again. What we are seeing now, in the short term, is China is closing in on itself, because it doesn’t have another answer or response.”
“Intimidation of journalists is the classic response. It is not necessarily entirely new, but it is something we have not seen for a long time,” Bandursky added.
For more information, please see:
The New York Times – Even With Protests Averted, China Turns to Intimidation of Foreign Journalists – 6 March 2011
The Washington Post – Amid fears of unrest, China imposes new restrictions on foreign journalists – 7 March 2011
Tibetan Review – China to expel foreign journalists who cover protests – 4 March 2011
