Contact is taking a holiday!

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A set of “Measures for Reporting and Rewarding on the Campaign for Eliminating Pornography and Illegal Content in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR)” have been released by the Chinese authorities via state media.

On the face of it, these measures are intended to curb the spread of rumours, misinformation and distasteful content – including pornography. However, the 17-point “Squash Rumours and Reactionary Activities” campaign will stifle freedom of expression as rewards are being offered to those who will report a wide gamut of illegal activities, including actions that advocate for Tibetan independence. Tipsters can report individuals who advocate for a “greater Tibetan area,” a “high degree of autonomy” or the “Middle Way,” by means which include “publishing, making, printing, reproducing, distributing, disseminating, mailing, storing and transporting publications (including online publications)” and earn between 1,000 yuan [$ 141 /£ 114] and 600,000 yuan [$ 1,420 /£ 1,140] for the same, depending upon the kind of information they furnish. Tipsters’ identity is protected as they are given anonymity.

Illegal activities in this regard would include dissemination of such ideas in any form – including, but not limited to – overseas publications.

Concern has been expressed that these provisions will, in effect, create a network of tipsters who will take a stand against Tibetan freedom, track advocates of the cause and result in their arrest and detention. Tenzin Dalha, a researcher at the Tibet Policy Institute, has been quoted by Radio Free Asia (RFA) as saying, “Unlike anything that has come before, this [campaign] will create more resentment and distrust among Tibetans”. He continued, “By rewarding snitches, it sows a seed of discord among Tibetans themselves. Unlike anything that has come before, this [campaign] will create more resentment and distrust among Tibetans”, echoing others who speculate that these policies exist to weaken the spirit of the movement of Tibetan freedom, control the Tibetan people and ultimately quash any dialogue for Tibetan freedom. There is concern that it could destroy Tibetans’ sense of national identity.

Although the measures were promulgated on September 12, 2019, they were only made public in late March 2020.