Zhan was sentenced to 4 years in 2020 for reporting on the COVID pandemic

Location: China, Beijing
Date: May 13, 2024

Women Press Freedom is deeply concerned about the well-being of Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan over her untraceable whereabouts on the day of her expected release from Shanghai Women's Prison after four years. Zhan bravely reported on the COVID-19 pandemic's early days in Wuhan, exposing the harsh realities faced by patients. Zhang Zhan's imprisonment highlighted the oppressive environment for journalists in China, as documented by Women Press Freedom, where dissent is met with severe repercussions. Despite enduring hunger strikes and severe health issues during her incarceration, Zhang remained steadfast in her commitment to truth-telling. Today, as she was expected to regain her freedom, no information about her release or current location has been provided. We demand that Chinese authorities immediately disclose Zhang Zhan's whereabouts and allow her family to meet her. The ambiguity surrounding her release fuels fears that she may face further suppression and control by the authorities.

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The much-anticipated release of Zhang Zhan, a Chinese citizen journalist, was met with silence and uncertainty as her whereabouts remain unknown. Zhan, detained in May 2020 and arrested the following month for her live-streamed coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic’s aftermath, completed her four-year sentence on May 13, 2024. Despite this, no information has been communicated about her release.

Zhan, a former lawyer who turned to citizen journalism, was sentenced to four years in prison by the Shanghai Pudong New Area People’s Court on December 28, 2020. She was charged with “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” a common charge used by Chinese authorities to silence dissent. Her live-streamed videos on banned platforms like Twitter and YouTube documented the early days of the pandemic and criticized the government's censorship.

Ren Quanniu, Zhan’s former lawyer, expressed her inability to contact Zhan’s father, voicing concerns about Zhan's wellbeing and the possibility of her being subjected to "another form of control by police." Jane Wang, an overseas activist and organizer of the Free Zhang Zhan campaign, confirmed that May 13 was Zhan's last day in prison but has yet to receive any confirmation of her release.

Zhan's family, under police pressure throughout her imprisonment, could only communicate with her via phone and faced threats, discouraging them from speaking to the media. Activist Shen Yanqiu, who planned to accompany Zhan's family to the prison, was interrogated by authorities and warned not to visit. Calls to Zhan’s brother and the Shanghai Prison Administration office went unanswered, adding to the uncertainty.

Zhan twice staged a hunger strike in 2020 and 2021. She was also hospitalized in 2021.

China is known for its harsh suppression of press freedom, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the imprisonment of numerous media workers and citizen journalists. The country remains one of the world's largest jailers of journalists, with several women journalists, including Zhan, currently behind bars, as documented by Women Press Freedom.

Women Press Freedom has been a vocal advocate for Zhan's release, joining forces with several human rights and press freedom organizations. In 2021, the Coalition For Women In Journalism, alongside Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and 43 other NGOs, urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to exonerate and release Zhan. In November of the same year, over 70 journalists, rights advocates, and press freedom groups reiterated this call, demanding Zhan's immediate release.

The current ambiguity surrounding Zhang Zhan’s release highlights the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in China. Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Zhan, advocating for her immediate and unconditional freedom and demanding transparency from Chinese authorities regarding her status and well-being. 

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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