Surveillance, Harassment 'The New Normal' For Foreign News Organizations in China

Surveillance and official retaliation have become the hallmarks of reporting from China, the foreign correspondents' club said in a new report. The Foreign Correspondents' Club of China (FCCC) found in a recent survey of its members that more than half thought conditions had deteriorated in 2018. "Survey results painted the darkest picture of reporting conditionsinside China in recent memory," the report, titled "Under Watch,"found. "Surveillance, both human and digital, became a key concern," the FCCC said via its Twitter account, adding that 48 of respondents said they were were followed or "were aware that a hotel room was entered without permission."

In addition, 91 percent were concerned about the security of their phones, while 22 percent were aware authorities tracked them usingpublic surveillance systems. Overall, 55 percent of respondents said they believed conditionsdeteriorated in 2018. "Not a single correspondent said conditionsimproved last year," the FCCC said.

Read more