China’s phantom Jasmine pro-democracy protests have turned into a news story about news journalists. The heavy-handed treatment of foreign reporters — detained in an underground bunker, shadowed, beaten, harassed and threatened — has now become the headline news.
China plays a disingenuous game. In recent days new rules which restrict reporting have suddenly materialised while the roughing up of some reporters by security was blankly denied by the government despite both video and camera proof by other journalists.
Last week the Foreign Ministry summoned some foreign journalists to warm them that they risked having their visas revoked if they did not comply with new rules. UNCUT talked to one journalist who did not wish to be named for fear of retaliation.
UNCUT: What did the foreign ministry say to you last week at the special meeting you were called to?
In essence, that they no longer had the power to protect journalists as it was now up to the PSB (public security bureau); that we must obey police at all times at news scene; that if news organisations wanted to expand they must comply or J1 visas would be stopped and journalists expelled. This threat was made twice.
UNCUT: What was their tone during the meeting?
Smiley determination with thinly veiled belligerence and bullying; palatable intimidation.
UNCUT: How did it make you feel?
Patronised, childish and violated of my rights as set out in Chinese law. There was no reason in their argument, and they would not listen to the rationale in ours.
UNCUT: At the meeting, did any of the reporters try to query these “new” regulations?
Many did.
UNCUT: What was their answer?
The law has not changed. It is constantly being interpreted, and “used in more detail”. You must obey and we cannot protect you. You will be punished.
UNCUT: How long do you think these special measures will last?
It will be arbitrary. They will not announce when it will be over because in their eyes nothing has changed; the Law [a 2008 decree that allows foreign reporters to conduct interviews without seeking permission first] was never fully enacted “in detail”. Which is nonsense. It is a grey area and living proof, if it was ever needed, that China is not governed by the rule of law.
UNCUT: How has it changed the way you report from China?
It means it is more likely reporting will be restricted and this can be determined at very local level; more heads could be cracked and the police will say it was because journalists have violated a law which no one — not even the police — really knows about.
It is also clear that the foreign ministry has no executive power when it comes to ensuring the safety of foreign correspondents and in such scenarios acts merely as a puppet to the PSB. The ministry has lost a lot of face in the eyes of the foreign press corps, and China in the eyes of the world is seen for the police state is really is where violence meted out by goons in front of the police is routine. As we step back, we must pity the ordinary Chinese who must live under such constant threat. We must continue however, for the sake of Chinese journalists who look to the foreign media for inspiration and hope.
