Following a massive gas explosion in Yanjiao, Hebei, near Beijing, China, which resulted in at least two fatalities and over 20 injuries, Chinese state media journalists faced harassment and obstruction while attempting to cover the aftermath. Notably, Xu Mengzhe, a reporter for China Media Group, was forcefully removed from the scene by more than ten local policemen. This incident sparked significant backlash, leading to public criticism and protests against the treatment of journalists. In response, Chinese city officials issued a rare apology for the harassment faced by journalists on live TV, and the association overseeing Chinese journalists issued a statement condemning the police's actions at the site of the fatal explosion. The event has ignited a debate on press freedom in China.
City officials in eastern China issue rare apology after authorities harass journalists on live TV https://t.co/rslTrS4Igm
Chinese city officials issue a rare apology after authorities harass journalists on live TV https://t.co/RXJ0uU2diO
State media body condemns police harassment at site of deadly blast https://t.co/VsnWVABep9
Media harassment after China restaurant blast sparks protest, public criticism https://t.co/5ia8LBwf1X https://t.co/enmozIvwv5
Chinese city officials issue a rare apology after authorities harass journalists on live TV - AP https://t.co/Ey1qpmuEfW
⚠️ MEDIA HARASSMENT AFTER CHINA RESTAURANT BLAST SPARKS PROTEST, PUBLIC CRITICISM Full Story → https://t.co/nqPvF1YtrS The association overseeing Chinese journalists issued a rare statement of protest after reporters were blocked by local residents and security guards while… https://t.co/AWSdyxKiWj
Chinese city to local journalists: We're very sorry for pushing you and trying to obstruct your reporting. @SiminaMistreanu https://t.co/EsbQeeGedA
Chinese state media body condemns police harassment at site of deadly blast - Guardian https://t.co/7QCQRkrODV
Chinese state media blocked from blast site, raising press freedom debate https://t.co/AfGFSwCsd3
Chinese state media body condemns police harassment at site of deadly blast https://t.co/QrJZNAGs8b
What happens on WeChat when you try to play the video of local reporters being harassed and shoved away in Yanjiao… https://t.co/41kCtOLqe4
Chinese officials apologized after a state media journalist was prevented from covering a fatal explosion near Beijing https://t.co/L5D043NJjJ
A massive gas explosion was being covered by the Chinese news and the local police treated the Chinese TV reporters as if they were foreigners https://t.co/15mL1RJONs
🇨🇳 state media China Media Group’s reporter Xu Mengzhe (许梦哲) was forcefully shoved away from the scene by 10+ local policemen… https://t.co/qgR9sRtcdg https://t.co/nIYOTK5fOo
This is hilarious: the reporter and filming crew from 🇨🇳 state media CCTV on the site of explosion in Yanjiao, Hebei, was harassed and stopped from filming by local police and government personnel… what an irony! 😂 https://t.co/JgvjzqOag8 https://t.co/qy1ZAbDNud
It’s important to not forget that local journalists also sometimes get hassle including being pushed around and threatened when reporting in China. 👇 https://t.co/htq3CAbw1I
“谁来都一样” CCTV记者在燕郊爆炸现场进行现场直播报道时被当地警察和政府人员打断 https://t.co/auEa0u2R2U
2 dead and dozens hurt in China after blast destroys building near Beijing https://t.co/zHBCQzc52S
One dead, more than 20 hurt in China after blast destroys building near Beijing https://t.co/KSdAxqFoon
Photo shows aftermath of massive attack in China, casualties reported https://t.co/Avkvrdop8r https://t.co/Lz7qSYgLzN