By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China– In a speech at a meeting of global media leaders, the World Media Summit, President Hu Jintao promised that China would protect the rights of international news agencies reporting in China.

Along with China’s economic boom, news coverage on China also grew significantly over the years.  China has improved the reporting environment for foreign press in the past six years by loosening the tight control the communist government had over reporters, but Chinese officials continue to censor certain sensitive topics, including coverage of human rights.

Chinese government has stringent control over their media, and journalists are severely restricted as to what they can and cannot report.  All media in China are also owned by the government.

Although the Chinese government eliminated their policy of requiring journalists to obtain permission to travel to cities outside of Beijing or Shanghai, journalists still complain of assault and detainment when traveling in smaller towns and the countryside.  Furthermore, access to government ministers is near impossible, and public officials are often reluctant to go on record.

However, President Hu said, “[China] will continue to make government affairs public, enhance information distribution, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of foreign news organizations and reporters, and facilitate foreign media coverage in China….”

News Corporation Executive Rupert Murdoch, one of the attendees of the Summit, criticized the Chinese media market for being too “sheltered.”  He urged for more openness saying, “China will ultimately decide its own fate, but unless the digital doors open, opportunities will be lost and potential will not be realized.” 

Murdoch also pointed out that China’s state-run media has hindered growth and development of China’s media industry.  He added that the Chinese government should also address copyright piracy so that Chinese media companies can generate more profits.

This Summit was attended by 300 media representatives from 80 different countries.  Some rights groups have criticized China for hosting this meeting since China has a history of censorship and limiting reporting opportunities for foreign journalists.
For more information, please see:

AP – China pledges to protect foreign media – 9 October 2009

Irish Times – Chinese leader supports rights of media groups – 10 October 2009

WSJ – Murdoch Urges China to Open Up to Media – 8 October 2009