The Truth of the Matter China Cracks Down on Journalism
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Mar 27, 2025 
Jane Perlez, a legendary journalist and former Beijing bureau chief for the New York Times, shares her insights on the perilous state of journalism in China today. She discusses the drastic decline in American journalists on the ground, now under tight surveillance by the Chinese government. Personal anecdotes reveal the innovative tactics reporters use amidst restrictions. Perlez also touches on the shifting dynamics between the U.S. and China and the implications for freedom of the press in an increasingly oppressive environment.
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China Coverage Challenges
- Covering China from Washington poses challenges due to potential bias and propaganda.
- Focusing on Washington's perspective overlooks the complexities within China.
Surveillance and Reporting in China
- Jane Perlez describes being tailed by seven cars while investigating Chinese economic support for North Korea.
- Despite surveillance, she interviewed a woman smuggling money into Pyongyang.
Journalistic Tactics in China
- Journalists in Beijing must assume constant Chinese government surveillance of their sources and interviews.
- They employ ingenious workarounds, like using WeChat or equipping food delivery workers with cameras.