International Outrage Over Second Imprisonment of Wuhan Reporter
The United Nations and major human rights organizations have expressed deep concern over reports that Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan has been sentenced to four years in prison for the second time. The 42-year-old journalist, who gained prominence for her independent reporting from Wuhan during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, faced trial in Shanghai last Friday on charges of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble."
Background of Zhang Zhan's Case
Zhang Zhan first came to international attention in February 2020 when she traveled from Shanghai to Wuhan to document the initial response to the coronavirus outbreak. Her videos and social media posts showed overflowing hospitals, empty shops, and the harsh realities of the lockdown measures. "This is truly the tragedy of this country," Zhang stated in one of her final videos before her initial arrest, criticizing what she described as government intimidation tactics.
Her first four-year sentence was handed down in December 2020, making her the first citizen journalist imprisoned for COVID-19 reporting in China. After her release in May 2024, Zhang reportedly lived under close surveillance before being detained again in August 2024.
International Response
Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the UN human rights office, called the reports "deeply disturbing" and demanded Zhang's immediate and unconditional release. "This is the second time Zhang has been convicted and subjected to a custodial sentence for this offence," Laurence stated.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) confirmed the sentencing, with advocacy manager Aleksandra Bielakowska describing it as "utterly appalling." She added that Zhang "should be celebrated globally as an 'information hero', not trapped in brutal prison conditions."
China's Press Freedom Record
According to RSF's 2025 World Press Freedom Index, China ranks 178th out of 180 countries, ahead of only North Korea and Eritrea. The organization estimates at least 124 media workers are currently imprisoned in China. The charge of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" has been widely criticized by human rights groups as a tool to silence government critics.
Yalkun Uluyol, a China researcher at Human Rights Watch, emphasized that "Zhang's politically motivated imprisonment is the price she pays for investigating the government's wrongdoings as a citizen journalist and activist who dared to challenge the official narrative."
Western diplomats were reportedly denied access to observe Zhang's trial, and Chinese authorities have not publicly commented on the specific social media posts that led to the charges. During her previous imprisonment, Zhang went on hunger strike and was reportedly force-fed, raising concerns about her current treatment.