Free journalist Shi Tao - China

In 2004 Shi Tao sent details of an internal government directive instructing journalists how to handle media coverage of the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown to a US-based website. He was charged with "illegally providing state secrets to foreign entities” and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.

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Prior to his detention journalist Shi Tao had been working for the Changsha-based magazine Contemporary Trade News and had published numerous essays and political commentaries relating to social problems in China.

In April, 2004, Shi used his Yahoo! account to email a US-based website, sharing the details of an internal government directive instructing journalists how to handle media coverage of the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown.

Shi Tao was charged with "illegally providing state secrets to foreign entities" and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. According to the court transcript, evidence that led to the sentencing of Mr. Shi included account-holder information provided by Yahoo! Disturbingly, it has recently come to light that Yahoo! may have also released data which could have contributed to the arrest of another dissident, Li Zhi.

Amnesty International considers Mr. Shi a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression and for the legitimate exercise of his right to seek, receive and impart information, as guaranteed in international law and the Chinese Constitution.

Amnesty International believes Shi Tao to be one of several targets of a police crackdown in late 2004 and early 2005. During this period, several rights activists and dissidents were reportedly detained or placed under surveillance in their homes. The reasons for these detentions appeared to be to prevent them from engaging in public activities deemed politically sensitive by the authorities in preparation for the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown.

The internet in China

The People’s Republic of China has developed one of the world’s most sophisticated censorship regimes, aided by technology from some of the largest global Internet companies. Sophisticated filters block websites based on word and phrase recognition, including such terms as “human rights”, “democracy”, “Taiwan independence”, and can search emails, blogs, and other Internet communications.

China’s censorship regime has been strengthened under the leadership of Wen Jiabao and Hu Jintao. Beginning in March 2005 Chinese authorities began enforcing a regulation requiring all private websites to register with the government or face being shut down.  There have been reports that up to one quarter of all private web sites have been shut-down for failing to register with the government, numbering in the thousands.

The Chinese authorities’ approach to censorship rests on making individual users, web site administrators, managers of internet cafes, and others responsible for use of the internet content, thus fostering a culture of self-censorship.  Internet cafe managers are required to check identification from patrons before allowing them access. The installation of cameras in cafes to capture all those entering is being increasingly reported.

In Shenzhen city, Guangdong Province two cartoon police icons, are increasingly being displayed on computer screens to “remind” internet users of their responsibility to refrain from communicating or conducting searches based on banned words and phrases, while also reminding them of the authorities’ ability to monitor all communications.

Further action - Email Yahoo! expressing your concern about the company’s role in assisting in the violation of Shi Tao’s rights.

In 2004 Shi Tao sent details of an internal government directive instructing journalists how to handle media coverage of the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown to a US-based website. He was charged with "illegally providing state secrets to foreign entities” and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.

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