Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan Receives additional Four-Year Sentence
Shanghai, China – Journalist Zhang Zhan, known for her autonomous reporting on the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, has been sentenced to an additional four years in prison, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) confirmed Friday. The sentencing adds to a previous four-year term she received in 2020, effectively extending her imprisonment for her coverage of the pandemic’s initial impact in China.
Zhang’s continued detention and this latest sentencing underscore the escalating suppression of independent journalism within China, where authorities maintain tight control over details. Her case highlights the risks faced by citizen journalists and those who attempt to document sensitive issues, particularly those critical of the government’s response to crises. wiht at least 124 media workers currently imprisoned, China holds the world’s largest number of incarcerated journalists, according to RSF.
According to court documents reviewed by Reuters, Zhang initiated a hunger strike following an earlier arrest, leading to authorities forcibly feeding her via a tube while her hands were restrained. She was initially released in May 2024 but re-detained three months later, culminating in her formal arrest and placement in the Pudong Detention Center in Shanghai.
The new charges against Zhang, based on comments made on overseas websites, were publicly unspecified by Chinese authorities. Her former lawyer, Ren, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, arguing that she should not be held accountable for these online statements.
“This is the second time Zhang Zhan has faced trial on baseless charges that amount to nothing more than a blatant act of persecution for her journalism work,” stated beh Lih Yi,Asia-pacific director for the Committee to Protect Journalists. “Chinese authorities must put an end to the arbitrary detention of Zhang, drop all charges, and free her instantly.”
China ranked 178th out of 180 countries and territories in the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index, reflecting the severe constraints placed on media freedom within the nation. The sentencing comes just a week after Chinese lawmakers passed legislation aimed at streamlining public health emergency responses, allowing citizens to report incidents directly, bypassing customary government channels.
