China
China’s authoritarian regime has become increasingly repressive in recent years. The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to tighten control over all aspects of life and governance, including the state bureaucracy, the media, online speech, religious practice, universities, businesses, and civil society associations, and it has undermined an earlier series of modest rule-of-law reforms. The CCP leader and state president, Xi Jinping, has consolidated personal power to a degree not seen in China for decades. Human rights activists and lawyers continue to speak out, though at great personal cost.
Freedom in the World — China Country Report
China is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2023, Freedom House's annual study of political rights and civil liberties worldwide.
Latest on China
China Dissent Monitor
The China Dissent Monitor was created in response to the information gap resulting from media restrictions in the People’s Republic of China and risks associated with collecting information from within the country about dissent and protest. The project prioritizes capturing offline collective action in public spaces.
Hong Kong Media Bulletin
The Hong Kong Media Bulletin is a monthly email newsletter that provides unique insight into media freedom and freedom of expression issues in Hong Kong, drawing on both English and Chinese-language sources. Each month, the newsletter features cutting edge analysis of the latest trends in Hong Kong as the territory is being vastly transformed by the Beijing-imposed National Security Law
Beijing's Global Media Influence
Beijing's Global Media Influence examines how the Chinese government is accelerating its efforts to influence news coverage and commentary in democracies worldwide. Rich in data and reporting, BGMI's global and country-specific reports detail the Chinese Communist Party's motives and tactics, and measure how effectively democratic countries are pushing back against this influence.
Sign up for the China Media Bulletin
The China Media Bulletin is a monthly email newsletter that provides unique insight on censorship, media freedom, and internet freedom issues related to the People's Republic of China, drawing on both English and Chinese-language sources.
The newsletter features cutting edge analysis of censorship, surveillance and tech issues in China, including:
- Featured analysis of a major development or trend
- Short news updates on the media, netizen activism, and legal changes
- Spotlight on popular censored images
- Tracking the Chinese government’s growing media influence around the world
- Ways to take action
Freedom House's Report on Beijing's Global Media Influence
Our latest report, Beijing’s Global Media Influence: Authoritarian Expansion and the Power of Democratic Resilience, offers the most comprehensive assessment to date of Beijing’s global media influence and the ways in which democracies are responding. It draws on media investigations, interviews, scholarly publications, Chinese government sources, and on-the-ground research by local analysts in 30 countries, and includes in-depth case studies for each country, appraising the scale and scope of CCP media influence efforts and the strength of the local response. The report also offers recommendations on how democracies can improve their performance.
Freedom on the Net — China Country Report
China is rated Not Free in Freedom on the Net, Freedom House's comprehensive study of internet freedom around the globe.
China Special Reports
Beijing's Global Megaphone
The Expansion of Chinese Communist Party Media Influence since 2017
The Battle for China's Spirit
Religious Revival, Repression, and Resistance under Xi Jinping
The Politburo's Predicament
Confronting the Limitations of Chinese Communist Party Repression
Policy Recommendations: China's Global Media Influence
The Chinese Communist Party has expanded its efforts to shape news content around the world through promoting its own propaganda,, suppressing critical viewpoints, and obtaining control over key content-delivery systems. The following policy recommendations could help counter the negative impact of Beijing’s foreign media influence campaigns.
News & Perspectives:
NEW REPORT: Freedom in the Asia-Pacific Region Improved Slightly in 2022
Press release
March 9, 2023
In the Media
Explore the China Media Bulletin
The monthly China Media Bulletin provides unique insight on censorship, media freedom, and internet freedom issues related to the People's Republic of China, drawing on both English and Chinese-language sources.