The Longbow Papers

Most of you know the story of the arrest of Zhao Yan, perhaps the most egregious and far-reaching instance of the use of state authority upon the rights of a journalist in the very recent history of the "New China." That story just took another horrific turn.

I am angry. I am ashamed. I am useless. Indeed, I am uselessly sputtering as I type and cry out for a brother journalist brave enough to risk prison for the right of his people to be informed about their governance.

The crying shame is that he is not being prosecuted for his stellar reporting. His freedom was taken from him due to guilt by association for having the audacity to accept a job with still the best newspaper in the English speaking world, The New York Times.

Because of my position as a professor of journalism at Beijing Foreign Studies University, which means that I am employed by the Central Government that is prosecuting Zhao Yan, I must therefore mind my manners towards my employer and host and keep most of my thoughts on this case to myself. However, I can let my students speak for me, and others--interestingly enough, there is a great diversity of opinion among Chinese citizens on this matter.

Please read the lead paragraphs below of an article from The New York Times, and then click through for the rest of the story.

And when you are done with that, click on for a special series about the case at WOW: We Observe the World, the blog and news magazine of the English Language journalism majors here at Beiwai: Journalism and the State.

China Trial of Times Researcher Ends Without Verdict

BEIJING, June 16 -- The closed trial of a researcher for The New York Times accused of disclosing state secrets and fraud ended here on Friday without the court's reaching a verdict.

The researcher, Zhao Yan, 44, was tried at the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court, but his family, friends and journalists were denied access to the hearing, which was completed in a single day. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

One of Mr. Zhao's lawyers, Guan Anping, said the law allowed the court to deliberate for up to a month before releasing a verdict.

Mr. Zhao's trial was held before three judges in courtroom No. 6, and as is customary in Chinese hearings, he sat alone in the front of the court facing the judges, Mr. Guan said. The prosecution and defense teams sat on either side of the judges on the bench. In Chinese courtrooms, there is no direct private contact between the defendant and his lawyers.

Mr. Guan, a former legal adviser to a Chinese vice premier, Wu Yi, said there were no other people in the courtroom apart from the security staff. The court had ruled that no witnesses were necessary for the prosecution or the defense.

The hearing lasted the whole day apart from several procedural breaks. Mr. Guan said Mr. Zhao requested on Wednesday that his legal team file a motion stating that the handling of the case had violated his constitutional rights.

Please continue reading at The New York Times.

And then here: Journalism and the State.

 

4:08 PM / Editor / permalink    3 comments

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3 Comments:

I'd been watching the latest episode of this story unfold for weeks and noticing the absence of comment on The Longbow Papers. I imagine you were waiting for a definitive moment and I suppose this means the end of your hope for justice for Zhao Yan.

The NY Times itself said that a trial is as good as a conviction. You and your Journalism students have kept this flame alive for a long time. It's a dark day for all concerned, but one, I'm sure--as you always assert--from which light will hopefully emerge.

You are very courageous to have posted what you did.

Ellen

By  Anonymous, at 9:17 PM  

Hi Prof, long time no see.
Personally, I know another Chinese so-called "Researcher" who has been working at NY Times' Beijing Bureau. According to him, Chinese "Researchers" working with foreign news agencies are all carefully watched by the government. You don't have privacy using emails, tels, etc. Playing journalism with the authority here in China is as dangerous as working in Beirut.
Alex

By  Anonymous, at 2:53 PM  

Dear Alex,

It's great to hear from you! I hope all is going well with you. Unfortunately, what you are saying is all too true. It worries me greatly and keeps me from recommending students to work for foreign news bureaus and agencies.

Please keep in touch with me.

Sincerely,

Joseph Bosco

By  Joseph, at 5:53 PM  

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