As we approach the end of a difficult year for press freedom, the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW) continues to be deeply concerned regarding the status of Bloomberg News staff member Haze Fan, who remains detained by Chinese authorities.
As reported, Fan was last seen being escorted out of her apartment in Beijing by authorities in early December. Chinese authorities confirmed her detention on December 11 and since that time, no additional information has been forthcoming.
“We are very concerned for her, and have been actively speaking to Chinese authorities to better understand the situation. We are continuing to do everything we can to support her while we seek more information,” a Bloomberg spokesperson said on Dec. 11.
Fan, a Chinese citizen, has been working with Bloomberg News since 2017. The Beijing Municipal National Security Bureau has said it detained her on suspicion of endangering national security and Chinese authorities have only described her detention as “an internal affair.”
Among international governments, the European Union has been the most vocal about demanding more information about Fan. “We expect the Chinese authorities to grant her medical assistance if needed, prompt access to a lawyer of her choice, and contacts with her family,” the EU said in a statement shortly after her detention.
SABEW’s First Amendment Committee will continue to monitor this situation. We are increasingly concerned about arrests and attacks on the media by government officials and other authorities in both the U.S. and abroad.
Fan’s detention for nearly three weeks without explanation, access to outside medical help, an attorney or the filing of charges is part of an unacceptable pattern of arrests and harassment against the media.
Click here for more information on SABEW’s First Amendment Initiative (#SABEW1stAmendment).
SABEW is the world’s largest organization dedicated to business and financial journalism.
For more information, contact Kathleen Graham, SABEW executive director, at kgraham@sabew.org.
