Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan has been released after serving four years in prison for her courageous documentation of the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic from Wuhan. Her arrest and subsequent imprisonment were the results of her efforts to challenge the Chinese government's official narratives about the outbreak. "The police released me at 05:00 on May 13 and sent me to my older brother's house in Shanghai," Zhang revealed in a short video obtained by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Her emotional statement was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices she made for her pursuit of truth.
Jane Wang, an activist leading the Free Zhang Zhan campaign from the United Kingdom, confirmed the authenticity of the video and maintained that Zhang's freedom is limited. This concern is echoed by various human rights organizations, which insist that Zhang continues to be under strict surveillance. "Partial freedom is not freedom at all," emphasized RSF in a stinging critique of the Chinese authorities. Amnesty International has also condemned the ongoing harassment, demanding that neither Zhang nor her family be subjected to surveillance or intimidation. The organization also stressed the necessity of providing Zhang with full medical care to mitigate the effects of her traumatic imprisonment.
Known as a 'citizen journalist,' Zhang traveled to Wuhan on February 1, 2020, to document the severe impact of the Covid-19 lockdown. Through more than a hundred videos, she showed ghostly streets, overwhelmed hospitals, and even attempted to interview residents about their experiences. Her reports, often met with censorship on Chinese social media but available on platforms like YouTube, exposed a reality that sharply contradicted the government's narrative. Her video footage not only exposed the harrowing conditions but also shed light on the arrests and harassments of other independent reporters in Wuhan.
Arrested in May 2020, Zhang was subsequently transferred to Shanghai, where she faced multiple hunger strikes over the mistreatment by authorities, including force-feeding through a tube. In December 2020, she was convicted of 'picking quarrels and making trouble,' a charge commonly deployed to silence dissidents and activists in China. Despite the severe physical toll of imprisonment, Zhang's resolve to uncover and share the truth about Wuhan remained undeterred, evidenced by her continued partial hunger strike until July 2023.
The release of Zhang Zhan, albeit partial, indicates the Chinese government's susceptibility to international pressure. "The fact that Zhang was finally able to 're-emerge' after missing for nine days shows that the Chinese government does respond to external pressure," stated Jane Wang. However, this sentiment comes with caution; Wang warns about the high risks Zhang faces of 'disappearing' or being detained again. RSF and other advocacy groups continue to call for her total and unconditional release.
The persecution of figures like Zhang Zhan underscores the broader challenges surrounding freedom of expression in China. The country ranks 172 out of 180 in RSF's latest press freedom index, reflecting the systematic suppression faced by journalists and activists. Events involving other independent reporters and scientists who contributed significantly during the pandemic also highlight the severe restrictions on information dissemination in China.
- The heavy toll on Zhang Zhan’s health due to her imprisonment and her subsequent hunger strikes underscores the harsh conditions faced by political prisoners in China. During her trial, she was reportedly wheel-chaired due to her weakened state, having lost a significant amount of weight.
- RSF's call for Zhang’s unconditional release highlights the ongoing global efforts to address human rights abuses and the curtailing of free speech in China. In addition to Zhang's case, RSF has urged the Chinese authorities to cease harassment of other independent journalists who faced similar fates for their pandemic coverage.
- China’s low ranking on the press freedom index is indicative of the state-led constraints imposed on journalists. The country’s efforts to control the narrative surrounding Covid-19 also involved silencing scientists like Zhang Yongzheng, who first published the virus's genetic sequence, crucial for global vaccine development efforts.
- Zhang Zhan's case has drawn significant international attention, with governments and NGOs alike spotlighting her plight. The European External Action Service and the US State Department have been among the notable voices calling for her release, reflecting the global condemnation of China's crackdown on free speech.
