China continues to hold the title of the world’s largest jailer of journalists, according to the World Press Freedom Index 2024.
Press freedom in China continues to deteriorate under CCP rule, with Chinese citizen journalists facing especially dire circumstances.
On World Press Freedom Day marked on May 3, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) unveiled its 2024 World Press Freedom Index, ranking China 172nd out of 180 countries—maintaining its position as the world’s largest jailer of journalists.
RSF highlighted that China’s communist regime exercises strict control over information channels, implementing censorship and surveillance policies to regulate online content and restrict the spread of sensitive information that goes against the party line. The report pointed out that China detains over 100 journalists, maintaining its reputation as the biggest jailer of journalists globally.
Although China’s ranking slightly improved from 179th last year, it was due to deteriorating situations in other regions rather than any progress within China itself.
RSF also mentioned how Hong Kong’s press freedom ranking rose slightly this year to 135th place, despite a drop in its freedom score due to increased persecution of journalists under the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020.
Over 100 Chinese Writers Jailed
New York-based PEN America released its Freedom to Write Index 2023 on May 1, reporting that China remains the leading jailer of writers and public intellectuals globally. The country imprisoned 107 writers in 2023, including 6 writers jailed during the year.
Of the 107 writers imprisoned, 50 were online commentators detained for expressing opinions on social, political, and economic topics on social media platforms. The CCP often uses the vague charge of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” to arrest these individuals.
According to Canada-based journalist Sheng Xue, international reports on jailed journalists in China only scratch the surface due to the tight control of information by the CCP.
Chinese human rights lawyer Lai Jianping noted that press freedom and freedom of speech in China and Hong Kong are declining due to increasing political, social, and economic crises faced by the CCP, leading to greater crackdowns on these freedoms.
Chinese Citizen Journalists
Chinese citizen journalists have also become targets of the Chinese regime’s suppression and persecution. Citizen journalist Zhang Zhan received a four-year prison sentence for reporting on the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan. Currently, she is set to be released on May 13, with RSF urging international attention and pressure on Beijing.
Another citizen journalist, Fang Bin, has faced harassment and threats from CCP authorities even after his release from prison. He continues to battle eviction and lack of basic amenities following his reporting on the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan.
Lai emphasized the critical role citizen journalists play in the freedom of the press, with the CCP aiming to monopolize discourse and silence independent voices.
Both Sheng and Lai highlighted the severe suppression of press freedom and freedom of speech in China, with the CCP tightening its grip on all aspects of social life to maintain its authority.
In essence, the media in China has become a mouthpiece for the CCP, leaving no room for genuine press freedom.
Contributions to this report were made by Luo Ya and Fang Xiao.
