FCC Hong Kong supports FCCC statement on Buzzfeed China bureau chief’s visa denial

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong, supports the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China as it expresses concern over the denial of a new long-term visa for Buzzfeed News China bureau chief Megha Rajagopalan.

The following is a statement from the FCCC:

The FCCC has learned that Buzzfeed News China bureau chief Megha Rajagopalan was denied a new long-term visa by the Chinese authorities and, as a result, is being forced to take up a new assignment.

Ms. Rajagopalan, a former FCCC board member who has conducted herself according to the highest journalistic standards while in China, says China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to give a clear and transparent reason for denying her a visa. We find this extremely regrettable and unacceptable for a government that repeatedly insists it welcomes foreign media to cover the country.

We are attempting to get clarity from the Foreign Ministry on its reasoning for effectively ejecting a credentialed foreign journalist from China and will relay any information they provide. In the meantime, we wish Megha the best of luck in her new role.

FCCC Media Freedoms Committee

Left: Megha Rajagopalan, China Bureau Chief & Asia Correspondent, Buzzfeed News; appearing at the 3rd FCC Journalism Conference with (right) Emily Rauhala, China Correspondent, The Washington Post. Photo: Sarah Graham/FCC