World's Press Calls on China to Release Imprisoned Journalists and End Attacks Against Press Freedom
The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers has called on China to free all imprisoned journalists and put an end to its attacks on freedom of expression.
"WAN-IFRA reiterates its call for the release of 2007 Golden Pen of Freedom laureate Shi Tao, and all other journalists imprisoned or held without charge in connection to their work," the Board of WAN-IFRA, the global organization for the world's press, said in a resolution issued during its meeting at the 65th World Newspaper Congress and 20th World Editors Forum, currently underway in Bangkok.
The resolution called on the Chinese authorities to recognize that a free press helps promote a more prosperous, equitable and just society.
Recent data shows at least 32 journalists are held in Chinese prisons, making the country one of the world's worst jailers of media professionals.
The resolution also called on the government to cease its pursuit and harassment of 'netizens' and bloggers who are increasingly targets of repression, and to welcome a more open and participatory information age.
