China: Australian anchor Cheng Lei detained with no warrant and legal reason is another evidence of the government undermining press freedom

September 1, 2020, Beijing, China -- The Coalition For Women In Journalism is once again dismayed at the way Chinese government and authorities silence the press. Cheng Lei, a prominent anchor on state-owned English news channel China Global Television Network (CGTN) was detained on August 14 with no warrant or legal reason. 

With censorship seizing the right to information, what “crimes” Cheng Lei and when she will appear before a court is unknown. Cheng is being held under "residential surveillance at a designated location", according to ABC News. Investigators in China can question and imprison a suspect for up to six months without charge meaning an extremely long time under pre-trial detention.

The Australian Embassy was notified of detention of Cheng on August 14 but they still haven’t received information about the charges against her. 

Tensions between Beijing and Canberra have been running high since the Australian government called for an international inquiry into the origins of the novel coronavirus. Such political tensions point out to the suspicion that Cheng Lei is being held as a “political prisoner” as retaliation.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is utterly concerned about Cheng Lei’s well being and the despicable situation in which women journalists in the country are being treated. While following the worrying situation in China we call upon international organizations and the UN to take immediate action in order to ensure safety of journalists.