Just Released: Freedom in the World 2026
Freedom House’s weekly update of press freedom and censorship news related to the People’s Republic of China HIGHLIGHTS * Controls on dissidents ahead of party congress spread nationwide * Environmental activist, once lauded, is tried for self-publishing books * Mobile devices to be seized over maps with ‘inaccurate’ China borders * Next Media pulls out of Taiwan, threatening media pluralism * U.S. ad firm to aid Xinhua’s mobile news service
Freedom House’s weekly update of press freedom and censorship news related to the People’s Republic of China
HIGHLIGHTS * State-friendly novelist wins Nobel, peace laureate remains in prison * Chinese users critique, praise U.S. presidential debate * ‘World of Warcraft’ fans bemoan censorship, state TV’s addiction tale * Blogger self-immolates, Australian TV crew reaches restricted Tibetan areas * U.S. House panel says Huawei and ZTE pose security threat
Freedom House’s weekly update of press freedom and censorship news related to the People’s Republic of China HIGHLIGHTS * Print media reinforce party decision to expel Bo Xilai * Online censors allow some criticism of Bo expulsion * Media mogul sells Taiwan TV unit, citing political, business obstacles * ‘China Daily’ runs Diaoyu ads in U.S. papers * Freedom House blog urges U.S. candidates to weigh risk of China crisis
HIGHLIGHTS * Wang verdict fails to quash doubts on Bo Xilai saga, political transition * With official urging, Japan books pulled from shelves in Beijing * Google to shut down China music service * Confucius Institutes continue to expand worldwide * Freedom House report finds growing web restrictions in China and beyond
HIGHLIGHTS * State media toe the line on Wang Lijun trial coverage * More investigative journalists resign under pressure * Netizens suspect official hand, oppose violence in anti-Japan protests * Security researchers trace sophisticated cyberattacks to China * Chinese envoys press for removal of Oregon mural
HIGHLIGHTS * Media silence sparks rumors on Xi Jinping’s absence * Regulator issues more rules on TV content * Opponents protest Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing education plan * Canadian reporter claims Xinhua used him for spying * ‘National Review’ explores academic self-censorship on China
HIGHLIGHTS * Secrecy surrounds party conclaves ahead of leadership change * ‘China Daily’ sells front page to Louis Vuitton * Beijing flood criticism erupts online amid media controls * Disowning Beijing’s UN veto, netizens back Syrian rebels * Taiwan regulator grants conditional approval for media merger
HIGHLIGHTS * State media reject or ignore Clinton’s democracy remarks * Mystery surrounds newspapers’ leadership, content changes * LinkedIn’s SlideShare blocked in China * Communications cut on Dalai Lama’s birthday, monk authors detained * China and North Korea release first film coproduction
HIGHLIGHTS * State TV mocked for censoring Michelangelo statue * Regulators announce new restrictions on online video * Bloggers’ debate in park ends with scuffle * Mainland activists missing after run-in with fake HK reporter * Zimbabwe state TV to air Chinese news programs
HIGHLIGHTS * Bloomberg news site blocked after Xi Jinping article * Netizen wins suit over labor camp stint for mocking Bo Xilai * Microblogs spread word of protests, police violence in Shifang * Hong Kong reporter briefly held for question to Hu Jintao * Indian navy files stolen by China-based hackers
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