Ruling Conservatives at Essex County Council have today (11 September) voted not to use the county’s current relationship with Chinese authorities to influence a relaxation of China’s oppressive media regulations for domestic and foreign journalists. The Conservatives chose to strike out part of a Liberal Democrat sponsored motion, asking for the administration to use its long standing links with Jiangsu Province in China, to lobby for expanded and permanent media freedom and the release of imprisoned writers and journalists.

Speaking about today’s vote, Cllr Mike Mackrory, Liberal Democrats deputy leader said: “I am greatly saddened by the Conservatives’ lack of courage, in standing up for journalists who are trying to report accurately on the many issues originating from China that affect residents here at home. We are aware of many journalists currently in prison in China, for daring to express views that the Chinese authorities don’t want to see in the media.

“We are conscious of the increased number of foreign journalists now reporting in China building up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and of the 30,000, many from Britain, that will cover the Games. It is in all our interests that these journalists are able to use their skills to inform their readers on the true measure of life in China.”

Whilst the Conservatives agreed to tackle human rights issues in China through its existing business and education links, they refused to agree to use its influence to promote media freedom as a permanent component of Chinese law for both domestic and foreign journalists. Also struck out of the Lib Dem motion was any effort to demand that Chinese authorities investigate and prosecute individuals who harass, intimidate or detain accredited foreign journalists and their support staff whilst working in China.

“The position the Conservatives have taken on this issue is very disappointing, as freedom of expression and freedom of the media is a fundamental step to tackling human rights issues everywhere”, Cllr Mackrory continued.