Media body says journalists are denied visas, while editors receive stream of threatening emails and phone calls<\/p>\n
Sweden\u2019s leading newspapers and broadcasters have together called on their government to take stronger action against China for its \u201cunacceptable\u201d and \u201crepeated attacks\u201d on the country\u2019s media, which has included visa bans and threats.<\/p>\n
In a strongly worded statement, Utgivarna, which represents Sweden\u2019s private and public-sector media, complained that journalists had been put under intense pressure by Chinese government representatives.<\/p>\n
\u201cTime and again, China\u2019s ambassador Gui Congyou has tried to undermine the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression under the Swedish constitution, with false statements and threats,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n
It said journalists had been denied visas, while editors received a near-constant stream of threatening and critical emails and phone calls. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is unacceptable that the world\u2019s largest dictatorship is trying to prevent free and independent journalism in a democracy like Sweden. These repeated attacks must cease immediately,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
Sweden, it said, should raise the issue at EU-level and together with other EU member states \u201cstrongly protest\u201d the attacks on press freedom.<\/p>\n