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China's Zhang Zhan Sentenced Again for COVID Reporting

9/21/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan received an additional four-year prison sentence for "picking quarrels and provoking trouble," following her initial four-year term for reporting on COVID-19 in Wuhan.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) labeled her an "information hero" and condemned her treatment.
Her reporting challenged the official narrative, resulting in her 2020 arrest.
Zhang's former lawyer argues the new charges stem from her comments on foreign websites.
China holds the highest number of imprisoned journalists globally, with 124 currently detained, ranking 178th out of 180 in the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index.

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Story summary

Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan received an additional four-year prison sentence for "picking quarrels and provoking trouble," following her initial four-year term for reporting on COVID-19 in Wuhan.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) labeled her an "information hero" and condemned her treatment.
Her reporting challenged the official narrative, resulting in her 2020 arrest.
Zhang's former lawyer argues the new charges stem from her comments on foreign websites.
China holds the highest number of imprisoned journalists globally, with 124 currently detained, ranking 178th out of 180 in the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index.