![\"gaoyu\"](\"https:\/\/cpj.org\/gao.yu.afp.jpg\")
\nMike Clarke \/ AFP<\/p>\n
\nMike Clarke \/ AFP<\/p>\n
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the sentencing today, April 17, of independent Chinese journalist, Gao Yu on charges of leaking state secrets. The IFJ criticised the Chinese government for its ongoing attempts to intimidate and stifle media freedoms through the targeting of high-profile journalists such as Gao Yu and has called for a global media appeal to draw international attention to the case.<\/p>\n
Gao Yu, 71, was arrested in Beijing on April 24, 2014, on charges of illegally obtaining state secrets and sharing them with foreign media. It understood that the leaked document outlined the leadership\u2019s plans to aggressively curb civil society and press freedom. Gao was subsequently charged and held in detention until her trial in November, 2014. The closed-door trial lasted four hours, during which the prosecution relied on a recordedconfession by Gao which, as she disclosed during her trial, was obtained when police threatened the arrest her son. During the trial, Gao pleaded \u2018not guilty\u2019 to the charge. Her sentencing was delayed on two occasions, however today the verdict came down sentencing her to seven years imprisonment.<\/p>\n
The so-called \u2018state secret\u2019 that Gao allegedly shared has not been disclosed by the Chinese authorities, but it has been reported that the document was the Central Committee\u2019s Document No 9, which warns against seven perils, including a free press. Gao\u2019s lawyer has argued against the definition of \u201cstate secret\u201d as the alleged document was a Communist Party document, not one of the state, and one that was already shared in several provinces so was, in effect, in the public arena. Nevertheless, as the case involved a claimed \u201cstate secret\u201d, the media was prevented from accessing the proceedings and access to Gao\u2019s family during the trial was also denied.<\/p>\n
Gao Yu is a world-renowned and celebrated veteran journalist who has been imprisoned twice during a career spanning over three decades. On June 3, 1989, Gao Yu Gao among a large number of intellectuals jailed during the crackdown on protesters at Tiananmen Square. Labelled a public enemy by the Beijing mayor, she served 15 months in prison on the accusation that an article she authored, \u2018Political program for turmoil and rebellion\u2019, promoted \u2018bourgeois liberalisation\u2019. She was released in 1990 on medical parole.<\/p>\n
In 1993, Gao was again arrested on accusations of leaking a state secret, which related to a speech of former Premier Jiang Zemin. Gao denied the accusations but was sentenced to six years imprisonment. She was released early in 1999 due to poor health.<\/p>\n
In recent times, Gao has continued her work as a journalist, writing commentaries and articles on politics, the economy and social trends for Hong Kong and international media. In 1995, while still in jail, Gao was honoured with the Golden Pen for Freedom and Courage in Journalism Award from the International Women\u2019s Media Foundation and in 1997 she was the first person awarded the Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom prize by UNESCO. Gao has also recieved a number of other accolades for her journalism work.<\/p>\n
The IFJ said: \u201cThe guilty verdict against Gao is an outrageous attack on the media and the public\u2019s right to know. The handing down of the maximum sentence of seven years is an appalling response by a government that is intent on controlling the media and civil society and is clearly trying to send a message to the media and independent journalists that if they don\u2019t toe the party line they will suffer the consequences \u2013 regardless of the constitutional commitments to freedom of expression. \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe strongly believe Gao was exercising her duty as a journalist to report on issues of great public concern and this verdict should be strongly condemned by the international community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The IFJ urges President Xi Jinping and to uphold Article 35 of the Chinese Constitution, which enshrines the people\u2019s right to freedom of expression and the principle of the rule of law. It also calls on President Xi and Premier Li to remind Supreme Court judges that all trails should be fair and just, including sentencing.<\/p>\n
China\u2019s press freedom is on a steady decline and 2014 reflects a year when China became the world\u2019s biggest jailer of journalists as well as the sharp increase in attacks on journalists. The IFJ strongly urges authorities to release Gao on parole due to her suffering from various illness and supports Gao\u2019s appeal against the case.<\/p>\n
The IFJ said: \u201cWe call on all colleagues in the media industry globally to speak up for Gao\u2019s unfair prosecution and demand her unconditional release.\u201d<\/p>\n
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0946 <\/p>\n
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries<\/p>\n
Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific<\/p>\n
Find the IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com\/IFJAsiaPacific <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mike Clarke \/ AFP The International Fede … Continue reading