Wang Xiaolu, a reporter for the business magazine Caijing, was one of many people arrested in August for allegations of “spreading rumors” over the Internet.
Before his trial, he was forced to confess on a national television station in China that he had gathered information from inappropriate sources, and was “sensational” and “irresponsible” in his reporting on the stock market, The New York Times reports.
“That the state would take aim at a publication like Caijing came as a surprise to many,” writes media reporter Amie Tsang. “The magazine has a strong reputation for hard-hitting investigations and pushing the boundaries of what the government might deem permissible. Yet it has steered clear of prohibited topics like the Falun Gong movement.”
Press freedom advocates blasted China for using forced confessions as a tactic to deal with journalists covering sensitive topics.
“A statement aired by a state-run broadcaster, before the ‘suspect’ has ever appeared in court, shows the lengths to which the Xi Jinping government will go to intimidate journalists,” said Bob Dietz of the Committee to Protect Journalists.
“We call on Chinese authorities to immediately release Wang Xiaolu.”
Caijing Journalist’s Shaming Signals China’s Growing Control Over News Media (The New York Times) >>
Chinese state TV airs footage of journalist saying he regrets writing stock market story (CPJ) >>
OPC Forum Sept. 10: China Shocks: How Serious? What Do They Mean? >>