Female journalists in China frequently face harassment and discrimination. China remains the leading country for imprisoned journalists for the third consecutive year. A lack of information makes it unclear how many journalists are currently detained. Strict press regulations cause the striking number of imprisoned journalists. Conditions for journalists are concerning and have caused several deaths. Some journalists are bringing awareness to this problem.
Press restrictions are worse since the beginning of the pandemic. At least ten journalists have been detained in China for coverage on the Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan. “Informing the public on this unprecedented health crisis is not a crime! These journalists should never have been arrested”, says Cédric Alviani, (RSF) East Asia Bureau head.
Citizen journalist Zhang Zhan was detained in 2020 and sentenced to four years for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” She reported on the chaos in China at the peak of the pandemic and questioned authorities by taking videos on her smartphone. In one of her videos she said, “I’m just documenting the truth. I won’t stop what I’m doing, because this country can’t go backwards.”
Independent journalist, Sophia Huang Xuequin participated in China’s #MeToo movement raising awareness for victims of sexual abuse. Huang and her friend, Wang Jianbing, were detained in September of 2021. Both were charged with “incitement to subvert state power”. Huang first reported that multiple students were sexually assaulted by a professor at Beihang University. She was detained again for “picking quarrels and stirring up trouble”. In an interview with RFA, Huang was asked if there has been any improvement on the problem. She responded with “I think the environment has improved a bit, and we are seeing more awareness and willingness to report now”. Huang’s bravery to raise awareness on sexual abuse in China is a crucial step to making changes.
Female journalists in China often deal with harassment and online abuse. A 2017 survey showed that 80% of female reporters have faced sexual harassment in the workplace. The abuse and gender discrimination these journalists face continues to grow. Another survey in 2022 claims that only 20% of media workers have a protocol at their place of employment allowing women journalists to report abuse online and be supported.
Gender discrimination and inequality are major problems for female journalists in China. At least nine female journalists are currently detained in China. At the end of 2021, a survey indicated that the number of female journalists detained for their work has increased by a third. Chinese culture and sexism is one of the main reasons for these numbers.
Watchdogs like the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) are publicizing these increasing numbers and have adopted guidelines to help fight against the abuse of female journalists around the world.
some of the female journalists that are currently detained in China.
