On #pressfreedomday I spoke about the shrinking space for journalism in China on an RSF panel:

I appeared alongside brilliant journos Alex Crawford (who shared important insights on reporting in Gaza) and Vanessa Tsehaye (who spoke about the dire situation in Eritrea)

I wrote about shrinking press freedom & the chilling effect of Beijing’s growing national security propaganda on media for The Guardian

“Some Chinese media journalists have also been called ‘foreign forces’, which is ridiculous,” one Beijing journo told me: theguardian.com/global-develop…

Another bleak indicator of the deterioration of press freedom in a China context: Chinese media outlets (including Caixin Global Sixth Tone South China Morning Post The World Of Chinese The Paper 澎湃新闻) are withdrawing from the The Society of Publishers in Asia regional journalism competition:
asia.nikkei.com/Business/Media… via Nikkei Asia

Minjia*, journo in Beijing in her 20s, says the propaganda is fueling fear.

“Some Chinese media journalists have been called ‘foreign forces’, which is ridiculous. The saddest thing is when we’re attacked by normal people…it feels so much worse than being [accused] by police.”

Now, Beijing is ramping up its national security messaging, warning citizens to guard against foreign spies. The CCP has long promulgated the idea of a threat from “foreign hostile forces” to divert criticism of its leadership.

Great story by Nectar Gan edition.cnn.com/2024/04/21/chi…

On Feb 18, citizen journalist Chen Pinlin (Plato) was charged with “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” (which carries a sentence of up to 5 years) for releasing a film about the protests in November to mark the event’s anniversary.

Watch his doc now: youtu.be/sNqhdNDY_BI?fe…

A year and a half after the white paper protests, Beijing is silencing a filmmaker for commemorating the event and ramping up its security propaganda—creating a chilling effect on media.

I wrote a story The Guardian on censorship ahead of press freedom day: theguardian.com/global-develop…

Runako Celina broke down her reporting process & use of OSINT in 'Racism for Sale,' a fantastic BBC Africa Eye documentary on the Chinese video-making industry that exploits vulnerable children across the continent.

If you haven't already, watch it here: youtube.com/watch?v=I0DJlS…

I learned so much listening to Tuhi Martukaw share her own journey of how she connected with her roots and the way policies and political structures impact Indigenous communities across the island. Check it out in the tweet link or look for it on Apple, Google, Spotify.

Our board member and magazine editor Jessie Lau will be speaking about our platform & community at #ijf24 the International Journalism Festival in Perugia!

You can watch live or on demand here: journalismfestival.com/programme/2024…

I’m also very excited to talk about the work we do at NüVoices 女性之音 on this panel about platforming minority perspectives with Suyin Haynes (formerly gal-dem), Versha Sharma Teen Vogue & Emma Löfgren The Local Sweden.

It’s at 4pm & also live-streamed/on demand: journalismfestival.com/programme/2024…

Thrilled to be speaking at #ijf24 about extractive journalism with my incredible co-panelists Ladan Anoushfar Yousra Elbagir & Meera Senthilingam

Join us at 11am in person or watch live/on demand here: journalismfestival.com/programme/2024…

(thank you As Equals CNN Eliza Anyangwe (elizatalks.bsky.social) for inviting me!)

As part of our 'Writing Hong Kong' event on May 8th, we'll be launching our first Bai Meigui creative writing competition, for current UK residents who have familial roots in and/or have previously lived in Hong Kong. Find out more here! writingchinese.leeds.ac.uk/translation-co…

Listen to our latest podcast ep with Kaitlin Chan on her new graphic novel, ERIC'S SISTER 📖 Kaitlin discusses why she wanted to focus a slice-of-life narrative on siblings, creative doubt, and the importance of friendship ❤️

nuvoices.com/2024/04/04/nuv…

Many students, scholars and young professionals also say they fear that institutions remain unaware and ill-equipped to protect the community from such pressures, which come at a time when Chinese students are becoming increasingly politicised by Beijing’s crackdowns domestically

The fear of being surveilled by Chinese agents keeps many from engaging in politically-sensitive discussions or activities. It also sows distrust within the community–one already isolated from the rest of the student body in many ways, according to students and academics.

“Often at protests, there are middle-aged Chinese men standing a bit further apart, looking at us. They’re not joining—just examining,” Liying*, a student in her 20s, told me. She has since been followed a 2nd time and started receiving anonymous calls from China to her UK number