Politically bankrupt China dare not tolerate freedom of the press | Will Hutton

Even as China's leaders promise a more liberal future for the country, they are suppressing those who would tell the truthThe year began with journalists from China's Southern Weekly striking because their paper had spiked a leader calling for constitutional protections for individual liberty at the behest of the local propaganda chief – and replaced it with an article praising the Communist party. It ends with the New York Times and Bloomberg, having dared to publish details of the stunning family wealth of the country's outgoing prime minister and incoming president, fearing that the one-year ban on new journalist visas to both organisations may be continued.This is life in a one-party state, a running battle between a party apparatus fearful for its legitimacy and journalists whose craft necessarily involves disclosing information that the party would rather nobody knew. The practice of journalism in China, a country where 30 practitioners are in prison, has never been easy. During 2013, it has become a great deal harder.A new anti-rumour law makes spreading "defamatory" information on the internet that "harms the national interest" punishable with three years' imprisonment if there are more than 500 re-posts or 5,000 internet viewers. Ren Xianliang, vice-minister of the State Internet Information Office, declares that the control of "rumours" has been "quite effective", "slander" is in decline and the flow of information is more " orderly". He is creating "cyberspace... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2013-12-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #human rights #chinese people #european court

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PEN America Dissenters Host 'Freedom to Write for Palestine' Fundraiser

Gathering together writers and translators who withdrew from PEN America's Literary Awards and World Voices Festival, the event, held in New York City on May 7, featured stirring readings, offered sharp critiques, and raised money for the Gaza-based nonprofit We Are Not Numbers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-05-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Ryo Yamaguchi Named Publisher at Copper Canyon Press

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-05-03 04:00:00 UTC ]
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On Politics: Eric Adams' library cuts would sever a vital lifeline

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[ Crains New York | 2024-04-29 15:50:14 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-04-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
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In light of SPD’s implosion, the Poetry Foundation announces a small press fund.

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[ Literrary Hub | 2024-04-25 16:35:33 UTC ]
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Oakland’s Poet Laureate Receives Rainin Arts Fellowship, Plans Anthology with New Indie Press

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Yan Lianke Wants You to Stop Describing Him As China’s Most Censored Author

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[ Literrary Hub | 2024-04-23 08:56:19 UTC ]
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[ The New York Times | 2024-04-17 09:03:54 UTC ]
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Small Press Distribution Shuts Down

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Iskanchi Press Champions African Voices

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London Book Fair Thursday: A Freedom Statement

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