Chinese business reporter wanted by police — for covering company

Local police in east China have named a business reporter wanted for damaging the reputation of a company in the area, his newspaper said Wednesday.

Tania Brangian of The Guardian in London writes, “The offence of ‘fabricating and disseminating false information that harms the business or product reputation of another’ can result in a sentence of two years. Police are supposed to use it only if significant damage has resulted or other circumstances make the crime particularly serious.

“The Economic Observer said the public security bureau of Suichang county, in Lishui, Zhejiang province, had added Qiu Ziming‘s name to a national ‘wanted’ list.

“‘We are deeply shocked that our reporter Qiu Ziming has been listed as a wanted criminal due to engaging in standard news reporting in relation to the listed Zhejiang Kan Specialties Material Company and we’re deeply concerned about the welfare of the journalist and his family,’ it said in a statement.

“‘As a responsible media outlet, this newspaper has always upheld the principles of rational and constructive reporting; we believe that Qiu Ziming, along with all our journalists, has abided by the principles of objective and fair reporting.'”

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