Deutsche Welle keeps censorship alive

Germany's international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) recently fired four editorial staff of Chinese origin working for the China-Redaktion der Deutsche Welle, for what it claims were financial reasons.

The company's decision has sparked shrill protest from the laid-off reporters, who say DW's refusal to renew their contracts is because the four represent a different voice from that of the ideologically oriented China-Redaktion der Deutsche Welle.

The employment dispute reminds us of the Zhang Danhong incident. In 2008, Zhang Danhong, who was deputy editorial director of China-Redaktion der Deutsche Welle, criticized Germany's policy toward China during her interviews with the German media and called for more balanced reporting about China. She was later sidelined.