Chinese government espionage scheme puts media in danger

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 8 years ago

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has voiced concern over the latest government scheme introduced on April 10, which may endanger the media community.

On Monday, the Beijing-based National Security Bureau announced the anti-espionage scheme, ‘Report on Espionage’, in its latest attempt to influence and censor the free flow of information in China. The scheme aims to use citizens as the eyes and ears of the government, asking them to report any suspicious activity to the Bureau. By participating in the program, citizens would be eligible for monetary rewards, with successful ‘tip offs’ able to receive between 10,000 and 500,000 yuan (USD 1,500 – 73,000).

According to Mainland reports, the National Security Bureau alleges that some of the espionage activities a

Pakistan minister flags AI impact on advertising jobs

December 18, 2025: Pakistan’s information minister warns AI is disrupting advertising jobs and invites proposals to protect creative professionals, signaling an early policy debate on AI and employment.

PTI announces boycott of select TV anchors and talk shows

December 18, 2025: Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf announces a boycott of several prominent TV anchors and talk shows, directing party leaders and spokespersons to avoid appearing on the listed programs.

Pakistan to launch BEEP secure messaging app for officials

December 17, 2025: Pakistan plans to launch the BEEP secure messaging app for government officials by June 2026, modeled on WeChat, with end-to-end encryption and oversight by NITB.

GTV News confers vice president title on Gharidah Farooqi

December 17, 2025: GTV News announces the ceremonial appointment of senior anchor Gharidah Farooqi as Vice President, citing her professionalism, credibility, and contributions to Pakistani television journalism.

Court reserves decision on Matiullah Jan narcotics charges

December 17, 2025: Islamabad court reserves decision on journalist Matiullah Jan’s request to drop narcotics charges, with defense citing lack of evidence and prosecutors opposing the plea.

Arshad Sharif widow reports escalating harassment in Islamabad

December 17, 2025: Widow of slain journalist Arshad Sharif says harassment is escalating in Islamabad as she seeks justice, citing slow investigations and renewed safety concerns after court findings.

HRCP warns ad ban on Dawn threatens press freedom

December 16, 2025: HRCP warns of shrinking press freedom in Pakistan after a reported ban on government advertisements to Dawn Media Group, calling the move coercive and discriminatory.

Pakistan’s ad ban on Dawn sparks media freedom concerns

December 14, 2025: Dawn Media Group says Pakistan has imposed an unannounced ban on government advertising, drawing condemnation from media bodies over press freedom and independent journalism.

Newsroom

Iranian editor jailed in provincial criticism case

December 18, 2025 Iranian editor Majid Beiranvand has been sentenced to prison and internal exile, highlighting growing pressure on regional journalists and the use of criminal penalties to curb provincial reporting.

How combative videographers are changing protest coverage in Britain

December 18, 2025 Reporting examines how confrontational freelance videographers covering asylum hotel protests are reshaping local news sourcing, safety, and editorial practices in the United Kingdom.

Media-state confrontation over BBC draws global attention

December 18, 2025 The global media spotlight growing political pressure on the BBC, highlighting risks to editorial independence, funding debates, and wider implications for public service journalism worldwide.

RSF finds new Android spyware on detained Belarusian journalist phone

December 18, 2025 RSF and partners say they uncovered a previously undocumented Android spyware, ResidentBat, on a seized phone of a Belarusian journalist, highlighting digital surveillance risks to media.

Myanmar journalist jailed 13 years over reporting ahead of elections

December 17, 2025 Myanmar freelance reporter Sut Ring Pan sentenced to 13 years for reporting on the military ahead of elections, highlighting press freedom challenges and journalist detentions