Li Zehua

_,_deleted_by_thumb Li Zehua (Chinese: 李泽华) is a Chinese journalist and citizen journalist known for his coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, China. Born on May 1995 in Sichuan province, Li Zehua graduated from the Communication University of China and initially worked for the state broadcaster CCTV as a journalist. However, he gained international attention in early 2020 for his independent reporting from Wuhan, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Early Life and Education

Li Zehua was born in Sichuan province, China, in May 1995. He pursued his higher education at the Communication University of China, where he specialized in journalism. After completing his education, Li embarked on a career in journalism with China Central Television (CCTV), the country's predominant state television broadcaster.

Career

CCTV

Li Zehua's career at CCTV was marked by his work as a journalist, where he was involved in producing news reports and documentaries. His work at CCTV provided him with a platform to hone his skills in journalism and broadcasting.

Independent Journalism

In February 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to unfold in Wuhan, Li Zehua resigned from his position at CCTV and traveled to Wuhan to conduct independent reporting. His decision to leave CCTV and report on the ground from Wuhan was driven by a desire to provide transparent and uncensored information about the unfolding crisis.

During his time in Wuhan, Li Zehua used social media platforms to broadcast live reports and videos, documenting the situation in the city, including the state of hospitals, the conditions of the quarantined areas, and the experiences of the residents. His reports provided a rare glimpse into the situation in Wuhan at a time when information was heavily controlled and censored by the Chinese government.

Disappearance and Return

In late February 2020, Li Zehua was reported missing after a live stream in which he claimed that he was being chased by authorities. His disappearance raised concerns about his safety and the extent of censorship and control over information in China. However, in April 2020, Li resurfaced, stating that he had been detained by the police and held in quarantine. Upon his release, he continued to advocate for transparency and freedom of information.

Impact

Li Zehua's reporting from Wuhan and his subsequent disappearance and return highlighted the challenges faced by journalists in China, especially when reporting on sensitive issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic. His courage in seeking to report the truth from the epicenter of the outbreak earned him international recognition and brought attention to the importance of press freedom and the role of citizen journalists in disseminating information during crises.

See Also

• Citizen journalism
• COVID-19 pandemic in China
• Freedom of the press in China
• Censorship in China