Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Malicious Tip-Offs Stifle Academic Freedom in China, Analysts Say

Dahai Han

   WASHINGTON - In recent years, a growing number of college professors in
   China have been dismissed, fired, even arrested and sentenced to prison
   terms after being turned in to authorities by classroom informants for
   "inappropriate speech."

   Analysts say the worrying trend of what they call "malicious reporting"
   in China's universities is becoming increasingly rampant. They say the
   practice not only further limits the space for freedom of thought and
   expression in Chinese universities, but also is jeopardizing the
   quality of academic research and discussions.

   Earlier this month, renowned Chinese historian and Cold War expert Shen
   Zhihua was delivering a live-streamed speech at an academic seminar on
   the rise and fall of the Soviet Union, but an hour into the lecture,
   the feed was suddenly cut off. It remains unclear what Shen may have
   said that was offensive and the host of the seminar, Capitol Normal
   University in Beijing, has yet to put the video back online.

   In a statement, the university blamed a malicious tip-off from students
   or individuals who tattle on teachers when they make statements or
   share views that are perceived as challenging the Communist Party's
   official narratives or its leader, Xi Jinping.

   The university called the complaint a clear violation of academic
   discussion and freedom of speech. It also noted that the lecture was
   the seventh in a "Four Histories" series at the History College of the
   Capital Normal University. The university said that far from being a
   subversive speech, the talk was an attempt by the school to carry out
   the spirit of President Xi Jinping's speech on the study of the "Four
   Histories."

   The "Four Histories" refer to the history of the party, the history of
   the People's Republic of China, the history of reform and opening up,
   and the history of the development of socialism.

   When asked by VOA about the incident, Shen just laughed and said he
   doesn't pay much attention to criticism online.

   "Chinese netizens'Šthey will report you when they hear anything that
   they are not happy about," he said.

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