The IPI global network strongly condemns the arrest and assault of British journalist Edward Lawrence and the detention of Swiss journalist Michael Peukur by Chinese authorities this week. We call on the Chinese authorities to respect the right of journalists to cover public protests and other matters of public interest and to ensure the safety of all journalists covering the ongoing demonstrations.聽
On November 27, Edward Lawrence, a correspondent for the BBC, was and detained by the Shanghai police while covering the protests against China鈥檚 strident Covid measures. During his arrest, the police officers pushed Lawrence to the ground, and him, before taking him into custody. He was held for several hours, before being released. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, this account, claiming that the police had been unaware that they were arresting a journalist as Lawrence had not identified himself as a reporter.
In a separate incident, Michael Peukur, a correspondent for the Swiss broadcaster RTS, was by the police after a live broadcast. He was along with his cameraman and their equipment was confiscated. After a short negotiation, police both from custody and returned their equipment.
Protests over the government鈥檚 restrictive zero-Covid policy, with some of the largest demonstrations occurring in Shanghai. Authorities have responded by deploying police to break up the demonstrations and by tightening media censorship.
Journalists in China already operate in one of the world鈥檚 most restrictive media environments, marked by heavy online censorship and strong government control over print and broadcast media. A by the Foreign Correspondents Club of China found that media freedom has significantly deteriorated over the past few years, a process accelerated with the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The report claimed that journalists face physical assault, government surveillance, and visa denials. These attacks have particularly foreign correspondents, who are a frequent target of harassment. Indeed, in 2020, over a dozen U.S. journalists working for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal were from China by the authorities.
鈥淚n an information environment as heavily controlled as China鈥檚, international journalists are critical sources of independent news and information about what is happening inside the country,鈥� IPI Director of Advocacy Amy Brouillette said. 鈥淭he detention of BBC correspondent Edward Lawrence and RTS journalist Michael Peuker is an blatant attempt by authorities to muzzle the work of the foreign press, who are providing accurate and independent information about these demonstrations. The Chinese government should stop harassing foreign reporters and allow all journalists to do their work freely, safely, and without fear of retaliation.鈥�