Journalist to continue fight for free press in China

Journalist to continue fight for free press in China
February 09, 2009
DEBRA BLACK
STAFF REPORTER

For investigative journalist Jiang Weiping, who was charged with subversion in the People's Republic of China and served a six-year term in prison, the idea of press freedom is much more than a lofty principle. It is something he hopes will one day become a fact of life in his homeland.
"Under the current political system in China, the job of a journalist is a high-risk one," Jiang said in his native Mandarin through a translator at a PEN news conference at Massey College in downtown Toronto Monday.

"It takes enormous courage to speak out against those in power, but this is no excuse for media workers to ignore their duty," he said. "A free press is an effective means of preventing officials from abusing their power, and is also vital in advancing social development. A healthy civil society not only enshrines freedom of expression but also welcomes dissenting opinions."

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