I was fired for writing Hong Kong columns, Song Zhibiao, Guangzhou-based reporter, says
A veteran Guangzhou-based journalist said he was sacked for writing a column for Hong Kong media following Beijing's introduction of a rule banning mainland reporters from contributing to overseas news outlets.
A veteran Guangzhou-based journalist said he was sacked for writing a column for Hong Kong media following Beijing's introduction of a rule banning mainland reporters from contributing to overseas news outlets.
Song Zhibiao, 39, began working for China Fortune magazine in 2011 and also wrote a column on mainland news and affairs twice a week for Oriental Press Group, based in Hong Kong. Song said that last Friday he was called into the company's office and fired because of the columns.
"The overall media environment on the mainland has been changing so things happened. Being in the industry, there are professional risks involved and these risks are out of our hands," Song said.
"I am not interested in blaming anyone. After being in the business for nearly 20 years, I'm kind of fed up, so this incident made the decision of leaving for me. I don't feel victimised."
He said "quite a few" mainland journalists contributed to foreign media, or cooperated with them.
