Freedom of the Press - China (2002)
| Publisher | Freedom House |
| Publication Date | 22 April 2002 |
| Cite as | Freedom House, Freedom of the Press - China (2002), 22 April 2002, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4734504623.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Status: Not Free
Legal Environment: 26
Political Influences: 31
Economic Pressures: 23
Total Score: 80
Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 71
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: Han Chinese (92 percent), other, including Tibetan, Mongol, Korean, Manchu, and Uighur (8 percent)
Capital: Beiging
Journalists were harassed, at least 12 arrested, and some publications shut down for violating any of the "seven-nos": denying the guiding role of Marxism and its leading proponents, opposing the policies of the Communist party, revealing ambiguously-defined state secrets, opposing official policies on religion or nationalities, advocating violence, spreading rumors or falsified news, or violating party propaganda discipline or advertising rules. To further tighten controls, China in December established a giant state-owned media corporation, bringing its state television system, two major radio stations, and a film group under one management umbrella. While the print press is both public and private, the government owns and operates all broadcasting systems. Some publications were banned for covering subjects that generally are permissible, such as corruption. However, the tabloid press and call-in radio shows are lively, and investigative reporting is on the rise. While the government boasts China has 26.5 million citizens online, the government jailed its nineteenth cyber-dissident, and controls content flows by regulating Internet providers.