China Cracking Down On Journalists–Bans Information Sharing (Picture)

On Friday, Song was dismissed from China Fortune, a monthly magazine owned by Guangzhou-based Southern Metropolis Daily, The New York Times reported. The magazine’s editor-in-chief told Song that local propaganda officials ordered his dismissal on the grounds that he violated the government’s new restriction by writing commentaries for a news website belonging to the Hong Kong-based Oriental Press Group, the Times report said. Hong Kong media are considered overseas news outlets by Chinese authorities, the report said.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult for journalists to do their work in China,” said CPJ Asia Program Coordinator Bob Dietz. “Song Zhibiao’s termination presents a worrisome scenario for any journalist wishing to have a voice to the outside world through international media. Already, the government is stifling local journalists in traditional and online spaces. Now they are attempting to exert control over journalists in international spaces as well.”

Song’s dismissal comes amid a series of restrictions enacted by Chinese authorities in recent months. On June 30, authorities issued an order barring journalists from sharing any information they obtained in the course of their work relating to state secrets with foreign or domestic news agencies. The directive followed an announcement in April 2013 that forbids Chinese media outlets from publishing online any news without government permission. Authorities in July 2014 also said journalists were required to sign a secrecy agreement with their employers in order to obtain press credentials, reports said. MOREHERE