China's Press Freedom Index Near the Bottom, CCP’s Self-Celebrated Journalist Day Draws Criticism

On February 7, dozens of Chinese people gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Dr. Li Wenliang, the 'whistleblower' of the CCP virus (Covid-19) pandemic, and to show support for citizen journalists Zhang Zhan, Fang Bin, and Chen Qiushi, who have been sentenced or disappeared by the CCP. (Photo by Xu Xiuhui/Dajiyuan)

[November 8, 2024] Under the CCP’s rule, China ranks near the bottom in the World Press Freedom Index and is dubbed "the world's largest prison for journalists." However, the CCP has designated November 8 as its own Journalist Day, celebrated across the national news industry. Former media professional Zhao Lanjian believes there are no real journalists left in China, as being a true journalist comes with significant consequences.

Former Media Professional: No Freedom of Speech, No Real Journalists in China

According to mainland reports, on November 8 this year, the CCP Journalists Association, local governments, and media groups actively promoted the day as Journalist Day. Even on overseas platforms like X (formerly Twitter), some anonymous accounts posted celebratory messages.

Zhao Lanjian, a former media professional who exposed the falsity of the official conclusion in the Xuzhou chained woman incident and fled to the U.S. two years ago, told The Epoch Times that there are no real journalists left in China.

“I believe that, under the current environment, there are no real journalists in China, because no one can speak freely anymore. Although these journalists in China hold official journalist credentials from the CCP, their actions are no longer free.”

A headline from the mainland media outlet Zhengguan News used the slogan, "Let truth become truth, let the mainstream return to the mainstream," while Shenzhen Business Daily wrote, "There is a power called perseverance."

Zhao Lanjian stated that such words, written by the mainland media on Journalist Day, are impossible to achieve under CCP rule. Speaking the truth comes at a high cost.

Zhao also noted that with China's economic downturn, many news outlets are shutting down and collapsing. Retired media workers might be slightly better off with some monthly income, but those still working face the decline of many TV stations and newspapers. The main point is that those wanting to uphold journalistic ideals find it nearly impossible.

“Surveilled to the Point: Being a Journalist in China is Extremely Difficult”

In 2016, CCP leader Xi Jinping stated that "the Party’s media must bear the Party’s name." He later demanded that journalists should first be trusted Party workers and that they should “tell China’s story well and tell the story of the Chinese Communist Party well.”

The CCP has implemented a unified journalist qualification exam nationwide, emphasizing “adherence” to Xi Jinping Thought, as well as reinforcing Party control over propaganda, ideology, and media. Former media professionals have pointed out that journalists once pursued the ideal of being the "uncrowned kings," only to end up silenced, similar to lawyers whose licenses could be easily revoked.

Zhao Lanjian, who worked in China’s news media for over 20 years, said that covering sensitive topics like abandoned babies, homeless children in Beijing, or pollution in the Tengger Desert was difficult to publish in the past, and conditions have worsened now.

“Because now, in China, not only journalists but everyone is under surveillance. Everyone’s phone is essentially their monitoring device, and data from WeChat or text messages is scrutinized and monitored through big data. If there is any slight misstep, local police will come knocking.”

Zhao experienced cross-provincial harassment by police for providing evidence about the chained woman incident, along with harassment from community officials and plainclothes agents. He still carries traumatic memories in the U.S.

“That’s why I fully understand that being a journalist in China is extremely difficult. True journalists are rare, and most serve platforms that are state media. To report anything, you must sing the Party’s praises. So, when the world celebrates Journalist Day, China does too, but for entirely different reasons: one for freedom of speech, the other to comply with CCP directives. The nature is vastly different.”

Journalist Day in the Republic of China is on September 1, stemming from the 1933 assassination of Jiangsheng Daily chief editor Liu Yusheng by the Jiangsu provincial government, which drew significant attention from the press. On September 1 of that year, the Nationalist Government issued an order for the "Protection of Journalists and Safeguarding of Press Agencies." In August 1934, the Hangzhou Journalists Association suggested September 1 as Journalist Day, a tradition that continues today. While the CCP established a Journalist Day when it came to power in 1949, it did not set a date until 2000, choosing November 8.

China's Press Freedom Index Near Bottom, Most Journalists Imprisoned Worldwide

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) annually publishes the "World Press Freedom Index," which categorizes press freedom into five levels: good, satisfactory, problematic, difficult, and very serious.

On World Press Freedom Day this year, RSF released the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, ranking China 172nd out of 180 countries and regions, classified as “very serious.” Taiwan, the Republic of China, ranked 27th, categorized as “satisfactory.”

RSF pointed out that China, ranked 172nd, not only holds the record for the highest number of imprisoned journalists but also strictly controls information channels. The Beijing authorities enforce censorship and monitoring policies to manage information uploaded online and restrict the dissemination of news deemed sensitive or contrary to the Party’s narrative.

RSF advocacy officer Aleksandra Bielakowsk told Voice of America, "There has been no improvement in [press freedom in] China. China remains the world’s biggest jailer of journalists, currently detaining 119 journalists, including 10 from Hong Kong."

According to RSF's 2021 annual report, as of December 1, 2021, 488 journalists were imprisoned worldwide for their work—a 20% increase from the previous year and the highest number recorded since RSF began reporting in 1995. China remains “the world’s top country for jailing journalists.”

Editor-in-Chief: Lin Congwen