A poster calling for "Liberté pour Zhang Zhan" (Freedom for Zhang Zhan) is held up

A poster with a portrait of Zhang Zhan and the message "Liberté pour Zhang Zhan" is displayed, demanding the release of the journalist. By ventdusud / Shutterstock.com.

World

China Sentences Journalist Zhang Zhan Again: What This Means for Free Speech

Journalist Zhang Zhan gets four more years for “picking quarrels,” after reporting on China‘s human rights.

byAndres Castro

September 21, 2025, 12:28 PM

Executive Summary

Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan was sentenced to an additional four years in prison for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.”

This new conviction follows her release just months prior from a four-year sentence for documenting the early COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan.

Zhang Zhan’s case underscores the significant challenges and risks faced by independent journalists reporting on sensitive topics in China.

The Story So Far

Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan has a history of reporting on sensitive issues, notably documenting the early COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan in a way that diverged from the official government narrative. Her repeated arrests and convictions under the broad charge of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” highlight the Chinese government’s consistent use of such charges to suppress independent reporting and dissent, especially concerning public health crises and human rights.

Why This Matters

Zhang Zhan’s re-imprisonment on the same broad charge of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” just months after completing a previous sentence for reporting on the COVID-19 outbreak, starkly illustrates the Chinese government’s sustained crackdown on independent journalism. This action sends a chilling message to other journalists, signaling the severe risks and lack of tolerance for those who challenge official narratives or report on sensitive issues like human rights and public health within China.

Who Thinks What?

Chinese authorities have repeatedly charged and sentenced Zhang Zhan for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” implying her reporting on the COVID-19 outbreak and human rights abuses challenges official narratives and constitutes criminal behavior.

Zhang Zhan believes she is being persecuted for exercising her freedom of speech by reporting on sensitive topics like the early stages of the pandemic and human rights abuses.

Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan, 42, was sentenced on Friday to an additional four years in prison on the charge of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” This latest conviction follows her reporting on China’s human rights abuses, coming just months after her release from a prior four-year sentence for documenting the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan.

Background of Zhang Zhan’s Case

Zhang was initially arrested in December 2020 and subsequently imprisoned for four years. Her initial detention stemmed from her extensive reporting, which included videos posted from crowded hospitals and empty streets, depicting a more severe early picture of the pandemic than the official government narrative.

During her initial imprisonment, Zhang’s lawyer stated that she believed she was being persecuted for exercising her freedom of speech. She reportedly went on a hunger strike, leading to her hands being strapped and her being force-fed by police.

Recent Developments and Charges

After completing her initial sentence, Zhang Zhan was released in May 2024. However, she was re-detained three months later, formally arrested, and subsequently placed in Shanghai’s Pudong Detention Center.

The charge of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” is the same one used in her December 2020 conviction. Chinese authorities have consistently refrained from publicly specifying the exact activities for which Zhang was charged in either instance.

Implications for Journalism in China

Zhang Zhan’s continued imprisonment underscores the challenges faced by independent journalists reporting on sensitive topics within China. Her case highlights the government’s use of broad charges against those perceived to challenge official narratives, particularly concerning public health crises and human rights.