Chinese protesters fight against censorship at liberal newspaper

January 8, 2013

Many protesters gathered in front of a liberal Chinese newspaper's headquarters in which they were supporting the fight against censorship, according to NBC News. The scores of supporters surprised many, as there is usually little support against censorship. However, the group was backing the journalists against interference by the provincial propaganda chief.

The protest took place in Guangzhou, and negotiations between the journalists and officials continued through the night. Apparently the officials were upset with the journalists for replacing a New Year's letter to its readers about constitutional government with another piece that talked about the party's achievements.

Many of those who were protesting were young and they were lying down with small signs that wrote "freedom of expression is not a crime," along with a few others, the media outlet reports. The turnout showed that more Chinese people are looking for freedom of press.

The U.S. State Department commented on the popular idea for more free speech in China.

"We believe that censorship of the media is incompatible with China's aspirations to build a modern information-based economy and society," said spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, speaking to reporters at the daily department briefing. "It is, of course, interesting that we now have Chinese who are strongly taking up their right for free speech, and we hope the government's taking notice."

Free press is something that China is certainly lacking, as they were ranked 174th out of 179th in the 2011-2012 free press index created by Reporters without Borders, the publication reports.

Those who want to talk about the recent protest can make calls to China using international calling cards. 

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