Counterespionage agency ASIO questioned at least one Chinese journalist in Australia in connection to an investigation involving a staffer of suspended NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane | Gallo_Ways ErykBagshaw
reporter Mike Smith were forced to leave China on Monday. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has publicly claimed the reason for their questioning of Birtles and Smith was due to their involvement inCredit:But both journalists claim they have had little to no contact with the CGTN anchor and questioning about the case by Chinese authorities was superficial.can reveal that Chinese journalists were part of a WeChat group connected to Mr Moselmane's part-time staffer John Zhang.
The raid was the first connected to Australia's foreign interference laws legislated by the Turnbull government in 2018, which criminalised covert influence operations after rising concerns over Chinese Communist Party influence following multiple donation scandals.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Just appalling': End of an era as Australia's last journalists in China forced outThe Chinese government has always tried to shield itself from foreign correspondents, says Peter Ellingsen, China correspondent from 1988 to 1991. 'What has changed is that China has become immensely powerful and Xi Jinping is taking them to the brink.'
Read more »
'Just appalling': End of an era as Australia's last journalists in China forced outAustralian media organisations have no accredited journalists in China for the first time in almost 50 years after the last two correspondents were forced out of the country after a tense diplomatic standoff | Gallo_Ways
Read more »
China says questioning of two Australian journalists who were rushed home was 'normal' law enforcementChina’s foreign ministry says police were following 'normal law enforcement' when they questioned two Australian journalists who were rushed out of the country over safety concerns.
Read more »
China’s track record of jailing journalists ‘a growing concern’ for reporters | Sky News AustraliaHuman Rights Watch Australia researcher Sophie McNeill says an “incredibly concerning” situation is emerging in China as foreign journalists in the country face detention and many reporters find it increasingly difficult to secure a visa.\n\n“To not have those eyes on the ground, to not know what is happening there is really damaging,” she told Sky News. \n\nHer comments responded to a recent incident where two Australian journalists were rushed back from China to Sydney after officials in Beijing raised concerns over their safety.\n\nABC Journalist Bill Birtles was interrupted at midnight by seven members of the Chinese police who knocked on his door asking for Mr Birtles to surrender himself for interviews.\n\nHe agreed to speak to them the next day before he rendezvoused at the embassy compound and was subsequently smuggled out of the country.\n\nMs McNeill said, “China is the world’s leading jailer of journalists with at least 48 behind bars according to the committee to protect journalists” and pointed out there were five journalists in Wuhan who disappeared in January. \n\n“At Human Rights Watch we’re really concerned about the local staff who remain behind working for these organisations, other Australian citizens who are working for foreign news outlets who remain there and at the top of our concern is the fate of Chinese journalists”.\n\nImage: AP
Read more »