Jailed Chinese Writers

Kevin Sites in the Hot Zone continues to call for the release of jailed Chinese writers Shi Tao and Li Zhi.

Kevin Sites and the Yahoo! News editors and producers involved in the Hot Zone project are committed to what we call transparent journalism - not only reporting stories but also explaining how our reports are created and the potential effect our reports might have on those who are featured in our dispatches.

For the Hot Zone team, that means making you aware of issues that could influence your perception of our credibility and independence to do the job you trust us to do.

In numerous instances, individuals have shown courage in agreeing to tell their stories to us.

In that regard, as staunch advocates for press freedom everywhere, we continue to call attention to the jailing of Shi Tao and Li Zhi. A journalist in China, Shi was sentenced in April 2006 to 10 years in prison for having sent an e-mail overseas. Chinese authorities used information provided by our employer, Yahoo!, in developing their case against him.

Reports allege that the case of Li, who was imprisoned in China in 2003 for posting comments online that were critical of the government, also involved records provided by Yahoo! to Chinese authorities.

In both cases, Yahoo! has said it was compelled to comply with the requests for information under Chinese law.

We join with concerned parties around the world in continuing to call for the immediate release of Li and Shi.

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