Today is apparently Journalism Day in China! And while most organizations here will be observing the achievements of "enterprising reporters," Global Times has taken the time to write up an interesting and harrowing reminder of the problems journalists - especially good investigative ones - face here. It's no surprise that journalists have it tough in China, but did you know there were 11 known cases of reporters who were beaten or harassed in just this year? Or that investigative reporting was polled as one of the most dangerous jobs in China (after coal mining and, funnily enough, being a government official)? Anyhow, if you know a Chinese investigative journalist, what today probably teaches you is that they deserve a hug. And better rights. more ›

The embarassment stemming from Economic Observer Qiu Ziming's defamation warrant has actually ushered in some real change in protections for journalists. Now, prosecutors will have to obtain approval from higher-level procuratorates before being allowed to order arrest warrants on accusations of defamations. "To issue low-quality or incorrect arrest warrants not only violates people's legitimate rights, but also severely undermines the credibility of prosecuting authorities and tarnishes the image of the Communist Party of China and the government," said a statement from the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP), the highest prosecution authority in the country. more ›

While they're still avoiding the three Ts, one X and one D, journalists in China are becoming increasingly feisty, willing to report on corruption and misdeeds despite threats and oftentimes actual bodily harm, according to Mark MacKinnon at The Globe and Mail. The most recent case is Qiu Ziming, a Shanghai-based reporter whose expose of a Zhejiang company got him issued a nationwide arrest warrant. He and his newspaper fought it every way they could and, in the end, the police . more ›

This week in The New York Times' "Room for Debate" section is a question of whether China can gain journalistic credibility, especially in the light of Xinhua's attempt to introduce a 24-hour news channel. Journalism professor Ying Chan, TV journalist Jim Laurie and Caixin Media editor Hu Shuli share their opinions, which range from "not in this lifetime" to "it's really tough to be a journalist in China." more ›

The Press Freedom Index, an annual ranking of countries by Reporters Without Borders about their press freedom records, was published recently. Surprise surprise, China ranks one of the lowest on the list. more ›