China Remains World’s Biggest Jailer of Journalists, Says RSF Report

Beijing, May 2026 : China continues to be the world’s largest prison for journalists, with a sustained campaign of repression targeting press freedom and access to information, according to the latest annual survey by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

The report states that at least 110 journalists and three media workers are currently detained in China, highlighting the country’s continued crackdown on independent reporting. RSF noted that authorities employ a range of measures—including surveillance, intimidation, coercion, and harassment—to silence journalists covering issues deemed “sensitive” by the state.

In the World Press Freedom Index, China has been ranked 178th out of 180 countries, placing it among the worst performers globally. It stands just above North Korea and Eritrea, and has slipped further from its previous ranking of 176, reflecting a worsening media environment.

The report also highlights China’s poor performance across multiple indicators. It ranks 179th in both political and legal categories, 177th in the social indicator, and 173rd in the economic indicator, demonstrating widespread structural challenges facing journalism—from restrictive governance and legal barriers to societal pressures and limited financial independence of media outlets.

A key case cited by RSF is that of journalist Zhang Zhan, whose treatment has drawn international concern. The organisation condemned Chinese authorities for denying her access to legal counsel and isolating her from the outside world following her second conviction in September 2025. She was sentenced to four years in prison on charges widely described as fabricated, including “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” after a closed-door trial.

RSF revealed that Zhang has been repeatedly denied the right to meet with her lawyers, severely limiting her ability to appeal the verdict. The organisation also reported that diplomats and activists who attempted to attend her trial were blocked from entry, with some briefly detained.

Aleksandra Bielakowska, RSF’s Asia-Pacific Advocacy Manager, strongly criticised the treatment of Zhang, describing her as a symbol of press freedom in China. She said that beyond her imprisonment, the denial of legal representation further undermines her rights and raises serious concerns about due process.

Zhang Zhan was first detained in May 2020 after reporting from Wuhan during the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak, where she shared over 100 videos documenting the situation. She was later arrested again in August 2024 and is currently being held at Shanghai’s Pudong Detention Center.

RSF has called on the international community to intensify pressure on Beijing to end what it describes as the persecution of journalists, ensure Zhang’s safety, provide her with adequate medical care, and secure her immediate release.

The report underscores broader concerns about press freedom in China, warning that continued restrictions not only affect domestic journalism but also have global implications for transparency and the free flow of information.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)