In China, Bad Media News Keeps Coming
Chinese President Hu Jintao is visiting the United States this week, and there were hopes that Zhao would be released as a goodwill gesture. Last month the case against him was even withdrawn, though he remained in jail despite the lack of charges. Today, however, it was reported that, according to Zhao's lawyer, Chinese authorities have started an investigation period that could lead to the charges being reinstated. At the end of the six week investigation, prosecutors will decide whether or not to reinstate charges. The lead defense lawyer expects them to do so.
As Jim Yardley points out, the Chinese media are forbidden to report on the case.
The other China media story comes from the Ben Blanchard at Reuters, who brings word that China today defended its rules controlling foreign access to domestic media and television. (The government has restricted local use of foreign news footage and recently announced restrictions on foreign magazines.) "Senior officials also said Chinese people preferred reading foreign magazines on science and technology -- which are permitted by the government -- and that sensitive topics of religion and politics were unsuitable for local readers," writes Blanchard.
Hu Zhanfan, deputy director of the broadcasting regulator, argued that China is simply trying to "protect intellectual property rights," as well as "guarantee the accuracy and reliability of news reports." The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, Blanchard notes, has accused President Hu of overseeing "the most severe crackdown on the media" since the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989.