International human rights bodies and press freedom advocates have expressed grave concern over the renewed imprisonment of a Chinese citizen journalist, who has reportedly been sentenced to four years in prison for the second time.
The individual, known for documenting conditions in Wuhan during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, was tried last week in Shanghai under the charge of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”—a legal provision frequently employed against government critics. Diplomatic observers were reportedly denied access to the court proceedings.
This sentencing comes just over a year after the journalist’s release from a previous four-year term for the same offense. Their initial detention in 2020 followed independent reporting from the pandemic’s epicenter, which contradicted official narratives.
A United Nations human rights spokesperson described the situation as “deeply disturbing,” calling for the journalist’s immediate and unconditional release. A representative from a leading press freedom organization condemned the verdict as “utterly appalling,” stating the individual should be recognized globally as an “information hero” rather than confined.
Since their initial release, the journalist is believed to have lived under constant surveillance before being detained again in August 2024. The new charges reference social media posts alleged to have “seriously damaged the country’s image,” though the specific content has not been publicly disclosed by authorities.
During the first incarceration, the journalist undertook a hunger strike, leading to reports of forced feeding by prison authorities. A human rights researcher asserted that the imprisonment is politically motivated, intended to punish those who challenge official accounts.
China currently ranks among the lowest nations globally for press freedom, with over 120 media workers reportedly behind bars. Authorities have not commented on the recent sentencing.
