U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price stated on Thursday that the United States is "very concerned" about the harassment and intimidation faced by foreign journalists covering particularly the deadly floods in China. This statement came a day after Beijing accused the BBC of spreading "misleading news" in its coverage of the floods last week in Henan province, during which this British media outlet reported on hostility faced by its journalists on the ground.
Price said in a statement that "the government of the People’s Republic of China claims to be open to foreign press and supports their work, but its actions reflect another situation." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian described the BBC as a "misleading news broadcasting company," adding that it "attacked and distorted the reputation of China, dangerously violating journalistic standards."
The BBC stated that its reporters covering the floods faced harassment on the ground in "attacks that continue to put foreign journalists at risk." Angry residents in Zhengzhou forced AFP reporters to delete video recordings, surrounding them while they were preparing a report about a flooded underpass. Zhao stated on Thursday that foreign reporters have "an open and free environment to report in China."
However, press freedom advocacy organizations claim that the space for foreign journalists to work is shrinking, with journalists being tracked on the streets, harassed online, and having their visa requests denied. Price called in his statement for Chinese authorities not to restrict freedom of expression in light of the upcoming Winter Olympics next year in Beijing.
