Activists warn US lawmakers to counter media restrictions in countries influenced by China

The US must step up efforts to stem deteriorating press freedoms across East Asia, including supporting media outlets on mainland China’s periphery, lawmakers were told on Wednesday.

A panel of rights campaigners issued the recommendations – including sanctions on those seen as undercutting press freedom and refuge for persecuted journalists – to members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, amid warnings from advocacy groups that some governments want to replicate Beijing’s grip over media content.