- By Step. G. Halston
- (General Dispatch) – The association of professionals in China, with around 40 reporters from different countries has complained about the Chinese government’s new move to limit reporting, arguing that it is acting in this way because of the anti-pandemic measures taken.
- “The propaganda machine As China scrambled to regain control of the narrative around this public health disaster, foreign news media were repeatedly obstructed in their attempts to whitewash the pandemic.” said CMCC
- The group of journalists claimed that officials were abusing their authority, harassing and intimidating them, and were unable to practice their profession, they were able to get help from Chinese colleagues to get this information out.
- The Chinese government tries to thwart investigations, they persecute journalists, some have even been arrested, they have conducted major disinformation campaigns against foreign journalists, and the biggest example is the figures on the death rate by COVID.
- In 2020, the Chinese government increased deportations of foreign journalists, and limited the number of press cards to U.S. correspondents, leaving for now only those from Japan, Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
- Wang Wenbin, a Chinese diplomat and spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the information provided by the correspondents was not intended to inform, but to give a totally chaotic image of the Chinese government.
- Wang authoritatively stated that “China is a country governed by law. Anyone in China must abide by Chinese laws”.
- In conclusion, the Chinese diplomat said that any correspondent who wants to stay in China must abide by the laws, otherwise he will be deported or prosecuted, however it is not surprising this kind of attitude, China is among the last countries with freedom of the press.
Adittional Information:
Breitbart: Report: China Using Coronavirus to ‘Control Journalists’
SCMP: China using Covid-19 as ‘yet another way to control journalists’, media group says
