Investigative journalist on the run

A Beijing-based business newspaper pledged Wednesday to stand firm in defending one of its journalists who became a fugitive from the law following his whistle-blowing investigative report of insider trading by a Shenzhen-listed battery manufacturer in east Zhejiang Province.

Qiu Ziming, a reporter with the Shanghai bureau of the Economic Observer, found himself appearing on an online na-tional list of wanted criminals as police in Suichang County in Zhejiang alleged that he was "damaging the business reputation" of local Kan Specialties Material Corporation, a charge Qiu denied.

He was on the run after receiving a tip-off before police informed his newspaper Tuesday about the arrest warrant.
Qiu backed the credibility of his work, saying "there is no problem with the reports. … I can't say too much since it is easier for police to locate me through my mobile phone," he told the Global Times Wednesday in a hasty manner. "I just don't want to be treated unfairly."

In an update of his micro-blog at sina.com Tuesday, Qiu said he knew police might track him down from the IP address of the computer he used, but he said he was not afraid.

Qiu did a total of four reports on Kan's alleged misconducts, with two stories exposing problems of asset transfers and illegal insider trading during an acquisition, respectively published June 5 and June 22.

Xiang Wujun, a legal adviser of the Economic Observer, told the Global Times that "reports about Kan were published after critical reviews. The reporter and some editorial staff members were repeatedly threatened and offered bribes in the process of reporting."

"We strongly condemn the use of public power to suppress public opinion and to threaten the personal safety of media professionals," a statement issued by the Economic Observer said Wednesday.

Kan was urged to disclose information about its dealings, according to the statement.

The newspaper said it was submitting complaints to the General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP), demanding a solution to safeguard the rights of journalists to interview and report, as well to guarantee their personal safety.

The GAPP could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

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