IFJ condemns interference in media by Chinese Central Authority

Media Release: China 10 May 2013        The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns manipulation of the media by the Central Authority on reporting of an incident of interest to the general public. On 8 May, the Central Authority issued a directive restricting the media from publishing news of the suspicious death of Yuan Liya on May 3, who had allegedly fallen off a shopping centre. Media was instructed to only republish the statement issued by the Beijing Police and not information gathered from independent sources.  Online media has also been restricted and no online news portals can have anything about the suspicious death on their lead pages. Popular social networking site Weibo has also had all related news items removed.     The Police statement said that an autopsy confirmed that Yuan’s death was a suicide. Yuan’s parents however have stated that the police have not given them access to the autopsy report or any other information and have reason to believe that Yuan was raped by seven security guards before she died. It is reported that the police detained a woman who had published on the internet the information that Yuan was raped. There is no information at this point about how the woman was identified or how the interrogation was conducted. The IFJ Asia-Pacific office said “this is yet another example of the Central Authority interfering in the media and preventing them from publishing information that is of public interest. The media has an important role to play in society where publishing information gathered through independent investigations is necessary.” On 17 March, newly elected Premier, Li Keqiang said in a press conference “transparency is the key for people to measure whether the authorities have done their best, effectively.” “It is distressing that the Central Propaganda Department and the Beijing Government do not abide by this sentiment. They ignore internationally accepted principles of press freedom and treat the media like an official mouthpiece.” The IFJ urges the President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang to advise members of the Central Politburo of the Communist Party of China and in particular, those who monitor the media that they are accountable to the people of China and that the public’s right to know should be protected. For further information contact IFJAsia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0950The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in131 countriesFind the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacificFind the IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific