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Contact is taking a break after 25 years of bringing you news of Tibet and Tibetan issues. We are celebrating our 25 years by bringing you the story of Contact and the people who have made it happen, and our archive is still there for you to access at any time, and below you can read the story of Contact, how it came into being and the wonderful reflections of the people who have made it happen over the years.

When and how Contact will re-emerge and evolve will be determined by those who become involved.

No Freedom for Journalists in China

By Mary Trewartha  /  January 28, 2015;

The IFJ report screenshot

The IFJ report
screenshot

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), a major international trade union for journalists, has issued its annual report entitled “China’s Media War:
Censorship, Corruption and Control”, which focuses on the freedom of journalism in China.

The report states: “Since Xi Jinping became President of China in March 2013, media freedom has declined drastically, particularly online”. It also notes that none of the self-immolation protests or other forms of demonstration in Tibet was reported in mainstream media in Tibet or China. The report expresses concern over whether court cases related to protests were conducted with due process of law, as they are always held in closed court.

The IFJ report also found that permission for journalists to report in Tibet is rarely given, that interviewing locals is risky or impossible and that when the Chinese government does invite foreign journalists to Tibet, the trip schedule is closely controlled by the government.

The International Federation of Journalists initiated a programme in early 2008 to monitor and report on press freedom and violations of media rights in China in the lead-up to the Olympic Games in Beijing in August of that year, and have continued to monitor the situation. The report states that the IFJ applauds the courage and tenacity of journalists reporting on China in 2014 and urges the media to remain vigilant and defend press freedom, despite the very difficult conditions under which it is forced to operate.

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