China has more than 109 journalists currently jailed. The repressive nation is also the world’s biggest jailer of media professionals.
Zhang’s case is an example of a broader crackdown on freedom of expression in China. They are especially trying to silence journalists and activists who challenge the government’s narrative.
Despite global condemnation and calls for transparency China refuses to allow any criticism. In 2021 Zhang documented the harsh realities faced by Wuhan residents during the lockdown, providing a glimpse into the human toll of the crisis.
Reporters Without Borders, an advocacy group, highlighted China’s dismal press freedom record, ranking it 172nd out of 180 countries and territories in its World Press Freedom Index. The organization awarded Zhang its 2021 Prize for Courage.
Despite lacking formal journalistic training, Zhang’s courage and empathy propelled her to amplify the voices of the marginalized and disenfranchised. In her videos and social media posts, she captured the struggles of those grappling with economic hardships and mourning the loss of loved ones to Covid-19.
