China tightens control of domestic news reports on coronavirus
China has attempted to restrict access to the uncensored global internet and tightening security on domestic reports to control the coverage of the coronavirus.
China’s most popular VPN services have faced an onslaught of government attacks in recent weeks to cut down the access to global uncensored internet, to which they usually have permission to use.
Google, Twitter, and most foreign newspapers are sites that have become increasingly difficult to enter, reported the Financial Times on Monday.
The Great Firewall, which is the system of firewalls that often restricts the use of VPNs during politically sensitive periods faced an uptick of restrictions in recent weeks.
“We are aware of a new escalation in blocks in China, and our team is working around the clock to address the impact on connectivity,” wrote ExpressVPN, one of the biggest services, on their public website on Monday.
The rapid spread of the coronavirus epidemic led to calls for freedom of speech in China, after officials’ early attempts to cover up the crisis enraged citizens.
Whistleblower, doctor Li Wenliang was hailed in domestic social media but was punished by the police for making the situation public. He died earlier this month from the disease.
Foreign journalists have been turned back from Hubei’s provincial borders by local authorities in theory over quarantine requirements.