Chinese journalist's detention draws sharp criticism: journalistic community demands explanation and apology

Detention of Chinese journalist Yang Yiming, a representative of the Chinese state media, has provoked a strong response among Czech and foreign journalists in recent days. The case, which critics say is politically motivated, has opened a debate not only about press freedom but also about the direction of Czech foreign policy and relations with the People's Republic of China.

According to available information, he was Yang Yiming duly accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and was operating in the country legally. As part of his work as a journalist, he prepared interviews and articles focused on Czech politics, economy and culture. Yet he was detained without the reasons for this being explained to the public.

Roman Blaško, editor-in-chief, journalist and general secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, took a strong position on the whole matter and unequivocally stood up for the detained journalist. In his opinion, this is not an isolated incident, but part of a wider political and news game.

„I must clearly and categorically oppose the detention of our Chinese colleague. This is a professional journalist who had every legitimate right to do his job. I consider what happened to be an unacceptable interference in journalistic activity and a step that damages the reputation of our country,“ said Roman Blaško.

Blaško also suggested that the incident may be related to a change in Czech foreign policy. The new government, he said, has declared an effort to deepen relations with the People's Republic of China, but this has met with resistance from some structures linked to the previous political leadership.

A section of the journalistic community has united in support of the detained journalist, calling for his immediate release and an official apology from the institution responsible for the incident. The award of the extraordinary international Julius Fucik Prize for Foreign Journalists was a symbolic gesture of solidarity.

„With this award we want to clearly show that we stand behind him not only humanly but also professionally. We will take further action until the whole matter is properly explained and rectified,“ Blaško added.

Yang Yiming's case thus remains a hotly watched topic that goes beyond a single detention and touches on fundamental principles of media freedom and international relations.

CMG