this is bbc news, the headlines. australia and the g7 have confirmed they will endorse a price cap set by the european union on russian maritime oil exports. the sanctions scheme aims to reduce russian oil revenues without upsetting global energy markets. russia has threatened to cut supplies to countries that comply. the far right us talk show host, alexjones, has filed for bankruptcy, after being fined almost 1.5 billion dollars for defamatory comments, about the sandy hook school shooting. jones had argued for years that the massacre was a "staged" government plot, and that no—one died. prince william has named the winners of the earthshot prize.

the annual awards were created by the prince to fund projects addressing the threat of climate change. the winners —based in kenya, india, australia, the uk and oman — each receivejust over a million dollars to develop their innovation. now on bbc news. the media show. hello today we are talking about what to dislike to report on china as protests sweep the country. and it is 25 years since the uk rockstar games grand theft auto. is it a prized cultural export or society is dark near? —— mirror. the sound of protests in south—eastern of one of many that began of the weekend. they

are on a scale that has not been seen for more than 30 years as demonstrators rail against their country zero covid policy. with me to discuss the challenges of reporting the protests and white press freedom in china are howard zhang joseph menn and yuan yang and you all and i would like to start to talk about what has been happening to journalists during the anti—lockdown. this was on sunday. he was beaten by police in shanghai and briefly arrested as he covered a protest there. back you recently left china what is your reaction to journalists during the protest. i your reaction to journalists during the protest.- during the protest. i think this is all— during the protest. i think this is all too _ during the protest. i think this is all too common - during the protest. i think| this is all too common and during the protest. i think. this is all too common and i think he was not the only

journalists detained there are also many chinese domestic journalists and citizen journalists and citizen journalists who are treated very roughly and detained and sadly whose accounts we cannot hear as clearly as this one. this is a combination of a number of years of repression ofjournalists number of years of repression of journalists and number of years of repression ofjournalists and started to become more and more intense under present xa gmac authoritarian leadership in china. we have seen them being harassed and followed around when they have travelled outside the major cities particularly in the region of xinjiang with they have a complete security lockdown on the muslim minority. so what we have seen in shanghai where police have been indiscriminately beating up people including people who are filming the protests and including the bbcjournalists. it is only a reflection on protests, journals are treated in china now.— protests, journals are treated in china now. you were in close contest bbc — in china now. you were in close contest bbc journalists - in china now. you were in close contest bbc journalists and - contest bbcjournalists and presumably other journals there as well would you agree that this is not unusual these days?

absolutely and i use to describe two people, just imagine that you are seeing a dial in— imagine that you are seeing a dial in north korea as one and being — dial in north korea as one and being 0—tolerance on any reporting and the last open mite, — reporting and the last open mita, you can do whatever you want. — mita, you can do whatever you want, almost. china used to be, in the _ want, almost. china used to be, in the late — want, almost. china used to be, in the late 70s starting to the 80s moving towards the middle, and giving slightly more leeway towards — and giving slightly more leeway towards freedom of speech and of thoughts that all of a suddenjust this of thoughts that all of a sudden just this dialling back happens. and where president xi jinping _ happens. and where president xi jinping from 14, 15 onwards starting _ jinping from 14, 15 onwards starting to get closer to back to the — starting to get closer to back to the north korea and. so that is happening. it to the north korea and. so that is happening-— is happening. it domestic chinese journalist - is happening. it domestic chinese journalist would l is happening. it domestic - chinese journalist would have faced much harsher treatment, it has been pointed out, is there a difference between the treatment of national domestic

journalists and ones from the bbc? ~ , ,., , journalists and ones from the bbc? ~ _, journalists and ones from the bbc? absolutely one the chinese traditionally _ bbc? absolutely one the chinese traditionally have _ bbc? absolutely one the chinese traditionally have this _ bbc? absolutely one the chinese traditionally have this thing - traditionally have this thing about— traditionally have this thing about face. so foreigners, internationaljournalists, they tend — internationaljournalists, they tend to — internationaljournalists, they tend to try to keep an air of legitimacy for themselves, they tend not— legitimacy for themselves, they tend not to come after, they will first _ tend not to come after, they will first sort out the domesticjournalists. before they— domesticjournalists. before they go— domesticjournalists. before they go after the international. but at a certain point, — international. but at a certain point, when they think it is really— point, when they think it is really serious that they will io really serious that they will go after _ really serious that they will go after anyone. i really serious that they will go after anyone.— really serious that they will go after anyone. i think what ou are go after anyone. i think what you are conscious _ go after anyone. i think what you are conscious of- go after anyone. i think what you are conscious of when i go after anyone. i think what. you are conscious of when you are a journalist in china, as a foreign national with a british passport, if the worse comes to worse you can probably leave at any point you have the production of your embassy and hopefully a government at home who will speak out for you and will make reparations to the —— representations to the chinese side so if you are a chinese national you have those she did not have those. you do not have the same ability to leave as an

international.— the same ability to leave as an international. would it be more likely--- if— international. would it be more likely... if you _ international. would it be more likely... if you do _ international. would it be more likely... if you do not _ international. would it be more likely... if you do not make - likely... if you do not make them aware _ likely... if you do not make them aware that _ likely... if you do not make them aware that you - likely... if you do not make them aware that you are i likely... if you do not make them aware that you are a| them aware that you are a foreign _ them aware that you are a foreign passport holder it is 'ust foreign passport holder it is just difficult. now because number— just difficult. now because number style, if you look at all of — number style, if you look at all of the _ number style, if you look at all of the international organisations calculated, numbers. there are two or three ethnic— numbers. there are two or three ethnic chinese foreign passport holder— ethnic chinese foreign passport holderjournals injail in china _ holderjournals injail in china at— holderjournals injail in china at the moment. but in terms — china at the moment. but in terms of— china at the moment. but in terms of domesticjournals, the number— terms of domesticjournals, the number goes over 100 if not more — number goes over 100 if not more than that. so that is just to quickly— more than that. so that is just to quickly give you a glance at the situation, over 100 journalists jailed domestically only one or two with foreign passport— only one or two with foreign passport but all asian looking. more — passport but all asian looking. more broadly what is it like being a journalists working in china. you were chair of the foreign correspondents club in china back in the day. yes foreign correspondents club in china back in the day.- china back in the day. yes it was one _ china back in the day. yes it was one of— china back in the day. yes it was one of the _ china back in the day. yes it was one of the members - china back in the day. yes it. was one of the members that seeks to defend the rights of

journalists in the working conditions and what we saw the surveys over the years of last three years the patent that has emerged is that covid restrictions have been used as an additional way of control for journalists. an additional way of control forjournalists. last year over half were told to leave an area because of their own safety or public safety reasons when in fact there was no covid reason for them to leave. so the track apparatus that the government has created like the health kit that shows up on your mobile phone that shows up as a traffic light system, green, red or orange according to whether you have been to a high—risk area or not. those systems can also be used to trackjournalists systems can also be used to track journalists and systems can also be used to trackjournalists and to restrict your own taxes. 50 restrict your own taxes. so they are — restrict your own taxes. so they are using covid as a excuse what are the methods used? ,, . . excuse what are the methods used? ,, ., . ., used? surveillance on the mobile phone. _ used? surveillance on the mobile phone. that - used? surveillance on the mobile phone. that is - used? surveillance on the mobile phone. that is a l used? surveillance on the i mobile phone. that is a good point — mobile phone. that is a good point because not people use to tout the — point because not people use to tout the chinese mobile phone systems— tout the chinese mobile phone systems are how you do not know

-- need _ systems are how you do not know -- need cash _ systems are how you do not know —— need cash any more you can io —— need cash any more you can go anywhere but with just your phone — go anywhere but with just your phone. the trouble is you have handed — phone. the trouble is you have handed over every bit of control, _ handed over every bit of control, overany handed over every bit of control, over any individuals life to — control, over any individuals life to the _ control, over any individuals life to the state because china does _ life to the state because china does not — life to the state because china does not have a internet per se. does not have a internet per so it — does not have a internet per so it is— does not have a internet per so it is a _ does not have a internet per se. it is a giant intranet. so the — se. it is a giant intranet. so the state _ se. it is a giant intranet. so the state controls all data down _ the state controls all data down to where they have been an hour— down to where they have been an hour ago — down to where they have been an hour ago. where they had their snack, — hour ago. where they had their snack, where did you buy anything. so with that level of control— anything. so with that level of control it _ anything. so with that level of control it isjust anything. so with that level of control it is just a anything. so with that level of control it isjust a matter of time — control it isjust a matter of time before anybody, you cannot really— time before anybody, you cannot really move without any authorisation. it really move without any authorisation.— really move without any authorisation. , , authorisation. it is becoming like that- — authorisation. it is becoming like that. of _ authorisation. it is becoming like that. of course - authorisation. it is becoming like that. of course we i authorisation. it is becoming like that. of course we do i authorisation. it is becoming i like that. of course we do know that the chinese go to great length to prevent information to getting to its citizens. they have been holding up sheets of paper in purchase. all it to bring you in here. twitter is blocked on china but you had a story that the site was being flooded by spam accounts, effectively a ruse to hide what was really going on. that is right, people get to

twitter— that is right, people get to twitter through _ that is right, people get to twitter through various i that is right, people get to. twitter through various ways vpns— twitter through various ways vpns is— twitter through various ways vpns is one. _ twitter through various ways vpns is one, there - twitter through various ways vpns is one, there are i twitter through various ways i vpns is one, there are others and _ vpns is one, there are others and twitter— vpns is one, there are others and twitter is _ vpns is one, there are others and twitter is not _ vpns is one, there are others and twitter is not censored i and twitter is not censored directly _ and twitter is not censored directly in _ and twitter is not censored directly in china _ and twitter is not censored directly in china because . and twitter is not censored i directly in china because the company— directly in china because the company does _ directly in china because the company does not _ directly in china because the company does not have i directly in china because the | company does not have much directly in china because the i company does not have much of any presence _ company does not have much of any presence there. _ company does not have much of any presence there. so - company does not have much of any presence there. so if- company does not have much of any presence there. so if you i any presence there. so if you can can — any presence there. so if you can can get _ any presence there. so if you can can get to— any presence there. so if you can can get to it _ any presence there. so if you can can get to it you - any presence there. so if you can can get to it you can i any presence there. so if you can can get to it you can find | can can get to it you can find out — can can get to it you can find out what _ can can get to it you can find out what is _ can can get to it you can find out what is going _ can can get to it you can find out what is going on, - can can get to it you can find i out what is going on, normally. but in _ out what is going on, normally. but in this— out what is going on, normally. but in this case _ out what is going on, normally. but in this case over— out what is going on, normally. but in this case over the - but in this case over the weekend, _ but in this case over the weekend, if you - but in this case over the weekend, if you were i but in this case over the - weekend, if you were searching for news — weekend, if you were searching for news from _ weekend, if you were searching for news from a _ weekend, if you were searching for news from a city _ weekend, if you were searching for news from a city where i weekend, if you were searching for news from a city where theyj for news from a city where they were _ for news from a city where they were protests _ for news from a city where they were protests happening, - for news from a city where they were protests happening, and i were protests happening, and you typed _ were protests happening, and you typed in— were protests happening, and you typed in shanghai - were protests happening, and you typed in shanghai or- were protests happening, and i you typed in shanghai or paying shooting — you typed in shanghai or paying shooting or— you typed in shanghai or paying shooting or whatever— you typed in shanghai or paying shooting or whatever into - you typed in shanghai or paying shooting or whatever into the l shooting or whatever into the twitter— shooting or whatever into the twitter search _ shooting or whatever into the twitter search bar— shooting or whatever into the twitter search bar —— - shooting or whatever into the twitter search bar —— beijing. twitter search bar —— beijing you — twitter search bar —— beijing you would _ twitter search bar —— beijing you would get _ twitter search bar —— beijing you would get a _ twitter search bar —— beijing you would get a flood - twitter search bar —— beijing you would get a flood of- twitter search bar —— beijing you would get a flood of ads for escorts _ you would get a flood of ads for escorts and _ you would get a flood of ads for escorts and other- for escorts and other unmentionable - for escorts and otherl unmentionable things for escorts and other. unmentionable things it for escorts and other- unmentionable things it would be very— unmentionable things it would be very frustrating _ unmentionable things it would be very frustrating you - unmentionable things it would be very frustrating you would. be very frustrating you would not be — be very frustrating you would not be able _ be very frustrating you would not be able to _ be very frustrating you would not be able to find _ be very frustrating you would not be able to find news. i not be able to find news. unfortunately _ not be able to find news. unfortunately this - not be able to find news. unfortunately this came i not be able to find news. i unfortunately this came at a bad time _ unfortunately this came at a bad time for— unfortunately this came at a bad time for twitter- unfortunately this came at a bad time for twitter and i unfortunately this came at a| bad time for twitter and they were — bad time for twitter and they were just _ bad time for twitter and they were just unprepared - bad time for twitter and they were just unprepared for- bad time for twitter and they were just unprepared for it. . were just unprepared for it. why— were just unprepared for it. why was— were just unprepared for it. why was that _ were just unprepared for it. why was that having - were just unprepared for it. why was that having just i why was that having just explained a bit more what was happening. so you were getting on twitter, looking for a site, information about a pretest and instead you are farming about information on a six worker

what was going on, who butted up? what was going on, who butted u - ? what was going on, who butted u-? . , ., what was going on, who butted u n ? ., , ., , what was going on, who butted “i? ., , ., , ., up? the attribution is not precise- _ up? the attribution is not precise- it _ up? the attribution is not precise. it is _ up? the attribution is not precise. it is a _ up? the attribution is not precise. it is a technique | up? the attribution is not i precise. it is a technique that has been _ precise. it is a technique that has been used _ precise. it is a technique that has been used by— precise. it is a technique that| has been used by government operators— has been used by government operators before _ has been used by government operators before in _ has been used by government operators before in a - has been used by government operators before in a couple l has been used by governmentl operators before in a couple of instances, _ operators before in a couple of instances, several— operators before in a couple of instances, several years - operators before in a couple of instances, several years ago i instances, several years ago most — instances, several years ago most common— instances, several years ago most common thing - instances, several years ago most common thing is - instances, several years ago most common thing is if- instances, several years agoj most common thing is if you instances, several years ago i most common thing is if you are looking — most common thing is if you are looking for— most common thing is if you are looking for information - most common thing is if you are looking for information about i looking for information about xinjiang _ looking for information about xinjiang you _ looking for information about xinjiang you will— looking for information about xinjiang you will get - looking for information about xinjiang you will get happy. xinjiang you will get happy tourists— xinjiang you will get happy tourists or— xinjiang you will get happy tourists or people - xinjiang you will get happy tourists or people who i xinjiang you will get happy. tourists or people who appear tourists or people who appear to be — tourists or people who appear to be happy— tourists or people who appear to be happy taurus, - tourists or people who appear to be happy taurus, to- tourists or people who appear to be happy taurus, to mysticj to be happy taurus, to mystic taurus— to be happy taurus, to mystic taurus who _ to be happy taurus, to mystic taurus who say _ to be happy taurus, to mystic taurus who say how- to be happy taurus, to mystic taurus who say how lovely. to be happy taurus, to mystic. taurus who say how lovely that is and — taurus who say how lovely that is and those _ taurus who say how lovely that is and those basically - taurus who say how lovely that is and those basically run - taurus who say how lovely that is and those basically run by i is and those basically run by government— is and those basically run by government contractors. i government contractors. xinjiang _ government contractors. xinjiang is _ government contractors. xinjiang is where - government contractors. xinjiang is where we i government contractors. . xinjiang is where we know government contractors. i xinjiang is where we know the bbc has reported about camps full of uyghur muslims. where oppression is going on. bud oppression is going on. and they have — oppression is going on. and they have use _ oppression is going on. and they have use this - oppression is going on. and they have use this technique against _ they have use this technique against individuals— they have use this technique against individuals in- they have use this technique against individuals in the i against individuals in the past _ against individuals in the past so— against individuals in the past. so they— against individuals in the past. so they mentionedj against individuals in the i past. so they mentioned a specific— past. so they mentioned a specific person— past. so they mentioned a specific person or- past. so they mentioned a| specific person or tweeting past. so they mentioned a i specific person or tweeting at a person. _ specific person or tweeting at a person. we _ specific person or tweeting at a person, we call— specific person or tweeting at a person, we call this - specific person or tweeting at| a person, we call this garbage so that— a person, we call this garbage so that if— a person, we call this garbage so that if you _ a person, we call this garbage so that if you hear _ a person, we call this garbage so that if you hear about - a person, we call this garbage so that if you hear about a i so that if you hear about a protester, _ so that if you hear about a protester, someone - so that if you hear about a protester, someone said i so that if you hear about a i protester, someone said of the critical— protester, someone said of the critical aegis _ protester, someone said of the critical aegis he _ protester, someone said of the critical aegis he garbage. - critical aegis he garbage. twitter— critical aegis he garbage. twitter has— critical aegis he garbage. twitter has that - critical aegis he garbage. twitter has that with i critical aegis he garbage. j twitter has that with that critical aegis he garbage. i twitter has that with that in the past _ twitter has that with that in the past but— twitter has that with that in the past. but it _ twitter has that with that in the past. but it was - twitter has that with that in the past. but it was a - the past. but it was a different—

the past. but it was a different twitter i the past. but it was a different twitter two. the past. but it was a - different twitter two months ago. — different twitter two months ago. just— different twitter two months ago. just a _ different twitter two months ago, just a reminder- different twitter two months ago, just a reminder for- different twitter two months ago, just a reminder for the | ago, just a reminder for the listeners _ ago, just a reminder for the listeners elon— ago, just a reminder for the listeners elon musk - ago, just a reminder for the listeners elon musk boss i ago, just a reminder for the j listeners elon musk boss —— lrought— listeners elon musk boss —— bought it _ listeners elon musk boss —— bought it a _ listeners elon musk boss —— bought it a month _ listeners elon musk boss —— bought it a month ago - listeners elon musk boss —— bought it a month ago and i listeners elon musk boss —— i bought it a month ago and the stock— bought it a month ago and the stock has _ bought it a month ago and the stock has gone _ bought it a month ago and the stock has gone from _ bought it a month ago and the stock has gone from 7500 i bought it a month ago and the i stock has gone from 7500 people to ballpark— stock has gone from 7500 people to ballpark 2000 _ stock has gone from 7500 people to ballpark 2000 people. - stock has gone from 7500 people to ballpark 2000 people. and i to ballpark 2000 people. and unfortunately _ to ballpark 2000 people. and unfortunately within- to ballpark 2000 people. and unfortunately within that i to ballpark 2000 people. and unfortunately within that art i to ballpark 2000 people. andj unfortunately within that art a lot of — unfortunately within that art a lot of the _ unfortunately within that art a lot of the exports _ unfortunately within that art a lot of the exports on - unfortunately within that art a lot of the exports on for- lot of the exports on for influence _ lot of the exports on for influence operations, i influence operations, propaganda, - influence operations, propaganda, spam i influence operations, i propaganda, spam and influence operations, - propaganda, spam and under technicals _ propaganda, spam and under technicals. so _ propaganda, spam and under technicals. so they— propaganda, spam and under technicals. so they come i propaganda, spam and under technicals. so they come a i propaganda, spam and underl technicals. so they come a lot of the — technicals. so they come a lot of the specialists _ technicals. so they come a lot of the specialists as _ technicals. so they come a lot of the specialists as well i technicals. so they come a lot of the specialists as well so i of the specialists as well so that— of the specialists as well so that they— of the specialists as well so that they were _ of the specialists as well so that they were on _ of the specialists as well so that they were on ill - of the specialists as well so that they were on ill prep i of the specialists as well so | that they were on ill prep to deal— that they were on ill prep to deal with— that they were on ill prep to deal with that. _ that they were on ill prep to deal with that.— that they were on ill prep to deal with that. when it comes to china, _ deal with that. when it comes to china. in — deal with that. when it comes to china, in the _ deal with that. when it comes to china, in the past - to china, in the past information found on social media has been really crucial, he to other civil uprising. i think that factors is not lost on chinese leadership and resident xi talks about himself the dangers of the jazz and revolution that were fuelled in part by easy access to information and i think that is why the government has invested

so much in creating this great firewall of such a ship in china. however it does take human decision—making to make it work. and in the first few days of the protests over the weekend there was a lot that was getting past the centres because people were in this cat and mouse game. inventing new ways of being sarcastic, and newjokes, that were not immediately obvious about the protest. saying things, repeating phrases like i sought or even the phrase, yes, yes, yes because of course say no would be a negative criticism so you can just say yes repeatedly. this becomes very tongue—in—cheek and it takes a lot of humanjudgment tongue—in—cheek and it takes a lot of human judgment what crosses the line of protest. and how much of a pressure valve need to give to people to just let off some steam and fence a bit.— just let off some steam and fence a bit. ~ ., ,, ., fence a bit. we were talk about twitter but _ fence a bit. we were talk about twitter but presumably - fence a bit. we were talk about twitter but presumably tell i fence a bit. we were talk about twitter but presumably tell us i twitter but presumably tell us about the other sites that are used in china, probably more widely and how they are being blocked. ~ ~,

widely and how they are being blocked. ~ a, a, blocked. within china that the domestic platforms, - blocked. within china that the domestic platforms, the - blocked. within china that the domestic platforms, the most} domestic platforms, the most common one is wechat. everyone is on it. and there in the case of lawrence's arrest there would have been hundreds of people on their cameras filming in that very tight area and lots of footage of him getting tackled and kicked to the ground. so those kinds of clips really go viral quickly and it takes human sensors, augmented by ai algorithms time to figure out what they need to chase and then clean up afterwards. by cleaning up over the last few days has been a lot less protest related material but there is a lot of grey space material which is, people complaining about the lockdowns and the impact on their livelihoods not directly calling for an end to the policy or even calling for the leadership to step out but

clearly there is some very sharp criticism that is being allowed to be aired right now. the bbc chinese service that we were just talking about, at the lawrence just put up on twitter people being forced or asked to remove whatever they had been shot on their phones of the protest. is that a common occurrence?— protest. is that a common occurrence? we have been heanna occurrence? we have been hearing from _ occurrence? we have been hearing from various - occurrence? we have been i hearing from various services in an— hearing from various services in an our— hearing from various services in an our interviews anonymously, homes being searched, people have been contacted, chased by police. so some_ contacted, chased by police. so some type of crackdown is going on at _ some type of crackdown is going on at this— some type of crackdown is going on at this moment. and that is including — on at this moment. and that is including brighton streets, police _ including brighton streets, police officers who will walk over — police officers who will walk over to _ police officers who will walk over to you, say give you your phone — over to you, say give you your phone and _ over to you, say give you your phone and i_ over to you, say give you your phone and i will check your images _ phone and i will check your images without any type of court — images without any type of court order. so the these are things— court order. so the these are things that people cannot even imagine — things that people cannot even imagine. i things that people cannot even imauine. , ., imagine. i 'ust wondered when it comes imagine. i just wondered when it comes to _ imagine. i just wondered when it comes to the _ imagine. i just wondered when it comes to the likes _ imagine. i just wondered when

it comes to the likes of - it comes to the likes of twitter or telegram, the suits of sights, who is managing to get access to them. talking about vpns how many people are managing to get access to the sites that are blocked? it is sites that are blocked? it is not a number _ sites that are blocked? it is not a number that - sites that are blocked? it is not a number that we - sites that are blocked? it 3 not a number that we can give because many people who use vpns are trying to do it secretly, outside of scrutiny. but certainly lots of academics need vpns because they need to be able to read literature outside of china. lots of students in universities, lots of students part and over 70 campuses. i of students part and over 70 campuses-— of students part and over 70 camuses. ., ., , campuses. i wondered if it was a generational— campuses. i wondered if it was a generational thing _ campuses. i wondered if it was a generational thing who - campuses. i wondered if it was a generational thing who is - campuses. i wondered if it was a generational thing who is a i a generational thing who is a consuming what media in china. our older people more likely to 0ur older people more likely to get the information from tv? i get the information from tv? i think probably so, if you take my grandparents in their 805, they still watch the evening tv state media broadcast as they have done since the middle of their lives. forthe have done since the middle of their lives. for the younger generation it is all about the

platforms like wechat. quite a broad section of chinese people have been watching the world cup. football fans across the country seeing videos of unmasked celebrating people in the stands of the walkup. those images from the rest of the world of slowly returning to normal after a disastrous pandemic and normalising have had a big impact on people in china. thinking why cannot we normalise as well. to china. thinking why cannot we normalise as well.— normalise as well. to what extent you _ normalise as well. to what extent you think _ normalise as well. to what extent you think silicon - normalise as well. to what. extent you think silicon valley cares about this? what has the direction from 200 been, for example, for being a host of loads of spam?— example, for being a host of loads of spam? people i twitter realise what _ loads of spam? people i twitter realise what was _ loads of spam? people i twitter realise what was happening - realise what was happening after — realise what was happening after some _ realise what was happening after some researchers, - realise what was happening i after some researchers, and realise what was happening . after some researchers, and i called — after some researchers, and i called them _ after some researchers, and i called them about _ after some researchers, and i called them about it, - after some researchers, and i called them about it, and - after some researchers, and il called them about it, and they did a _ called them about it, and they did a better— called them about it, and they did a betterjob_ called them about it, and they did a betterjob of— called them about it, and they did a betterjob of getting - called them about it, and they did a betterjob of getting it. did a betterjob of getting it down — did a betterjob of getting it down so— did a betterjob of getting it down so by— did a betterjob of getting it down. so by the _ did a betterjob of getting it down. so by the end - did a betterjob of getting it down. so by the end of- did a betterjob of getting it. down. so by the end of sunday if you — down. so by the end of sunday if you paged _ down. so by the end of sunday if you paged down, _ down. so by the end of sunday if you paged down, the - down. so by the end of sunday if you paged down, the top- if you paged down, the top would _ if you paged down, the top

would be _ if you paged down, the top would be a _ if you paged down, the top would be a mix— if you paged down, the top would be a mix of- if you paged down, the top would be a mix of pawn . if you paged down, the topl would be a mix of pawn and protest _ would be a mix of pawn and protest a _ would be a mix of pawn and protest. a 50—50 _ would be a mix of pawn and protest. a 50—50 mix. - would be a mix of pawn and protest. a 50—50 mix. but. would be a mix of pawn and | protest. a 50—50 mix. but if you — protest. a 50—50 mix. but if you paged _ protest. a 50—50 mix. but if you paged down— protest. a 50—50 mix. but if you paged down a _ protest. a 50—50 mix. but if you paged down a bit- protest. a 50—50 mix. but if you paged down a hit it - protest. a 50—50 mix. but if you paged down a hit it was| you paged down a hit it was just— you paged down a hit it was just all— you paged down a hit it was just all adult— you paged down a hit it was just all adult content. - you paged down a bit it was just all adult content.- just all adult content. how willin: just all adult content. how willing have _ just all adult content. how willing have the _ just all adult content. how willing have the us - just all adult content. how willing have the us tech i willing have the us tech companies to help chinese protesters to bypass the sensors? is protesters to bypass the sensors?— sensors? is a very sticky situation, _ sensors? is a very sticky situation, very _ sensors? is a very sticky| situation, very sensitive, apple is coming - situation, very sensitive, apple is coming under. apple is coming under increasing _ apple is coming under increasing pressure i apple is coming under| increasing pressure for concessions— increasing pressure for concessions it - increasing pressure for concessions it has - increasing pressure for. concessions it has made increasing pressure for- concessions it has made for the government— concessions it has made for the government there. _ concessions it has made for the government there. china's - government there. china's enormous _ government there. china's enormous market- government there. china's enormous market and - government there. china's enormous market and of. government there. china's - enormous market and of course elon— enormous market and of course elon musk's _ enormous market and of course elon musk's biggest _ enormous market and of course elon musk's biggest market- elon musk's biggest market outside _ elon musk's biggest market outside of— elon musk's biggest market outside of the _ elon musk's biggest market outside of the us _ elon musk's biggest market outside of the us and - elon musk's biggest market outside of the us and rival. elon musk's biggest market. outside of the us and rival to the us— outside of the us and rival to the us is— outside of the us and rival to the us is china's _ outside of the us and rival to the us is china's four- outside of the us and rival to the us is china's four tesla . the us is china's four tesla which is _ the us is china's four tesla which is their— the us is china's four tesla which is their major- the us is china's four tesla which is their major source| the us is china's four tesla . which is their major source as well — which is their major source as well so— which is their major source as well so he _ which is their major source as well. so he chairs _ which is their major source as well. so he chairs about- which is their major source as well. so he chairs about what| well. so he chairs about what cheney— well. so he chairs about what cheney and _ well. so he chairs about what cheney and thinks _ well. so he chairs about what cheney and thinks but - well. so he chairs about what cheney and thinks but that i well. so he chairs about what| cheney and thinks but that he cares — cheney and thinks but that he cares about— cheney and thinks but that he cares about the _ cheney and thinks but that he cares about the question. - cheney and thinks but that he cares about the question. it . cheney and thinks but that he j cares about the question. it is a very— cares about the question. it is a very sensitive _ cares about the question. it is a very sensitive topic. - i want to talk about how... are state controls tighter over

press then when the tiananmen square protest took place? i square protest took place? i think we have seen a generational shift since that with the entering of the world training system and in 08 when the government started to liberate a lot of constraints around journals. liberate a lot of constraints aroundjournals. in liberate a lot of constraints around journals. in the last five or six years since i have beenin five or six years since i have been in china, we have seen the tide going in the opposite direction of more tightening. when i started reporting in china in 2016 it was still fairly easy to make source goals and speak to new people. i think nowadays, the so—called red lines of political sensitivities are broader areas. so previously we knew that it would be difficult to speak to people about things like the one party system, questions of taiwan because my independence and so on. now it is even speaking to the european business people in china working for merchant nationals about their policy in high—tech areas it is extremely

political sensitive. so now there is no clear thundery about what is in what is not ok. ., about what is in what is not ok. . y ., about what is in what is not ok. . ., . about what is in what is not ok. . .,. ._ about what is in what is not ok. . ., ,~ ., 0k. have you noticed any change since ou 0k. have you noticed any change since you have — 0k. have you noticed any change since you have been _ 0k. have you noticed any change since you have been monitoring l since you have been monitoring social media are the sensors winning? social media are the sensors winnina ? , ., ., winning? on social media there is an enormous _ winning? on social media there is an enormous range _ winning? on social media there is an enormous range of - winning? on social media there is an enormous range of tools l is an enormous range of tools that— is an enormous range of tools that are — is an enormous range of tools that are used. so is an enormous range of tools that are used.— is an enormous range of tools that are used. so there is word blocking. _ that are used. so there is word blocking, obviously _ that are used. so there is word blocking, obviously the - that are used. so there is word blocking, obviously the great l blocking, obviously the great firewall. _ blocking, obviously the great firewall, there _ blocking, obviously the great firewall, there is— blocking, obviously the great firewall, there is a _ blocking, obviously the great firewall, there is a lot - blocking, obviously the great firewall, there is a lot of- firewall, there is a lot of pressure _ firewall, there is a lot of pressure on _ firewall, there is a lot of pressure on the - firewall, there is a lot of. pressure on the companies themselves— pressure on the companies themselves who _ pressure on the companies themselves who piece - pressure on the companiesj themselves who piece their networks— themselves who piece their networks and _ themselves who piece their networks and there - themselves who piece their networks and there is - themselves who piece their networks and there is the l themselves who piece their. networks and there is the 50 cents — networks and there is the 50 cents army _ networks and there is the 50 cents army where _ networks and there is the 50 cents army where the - networks and there is the 50 - cents army where the government employees— cents army where the government employees essentially— cents army where the government employees essentially or- employees essentially or contractors, _ employees essentially or contractors, philip - employees essentially or- contractors, philip comments —— philip _ contractors, philip comments —— philip comments _ contractors, philip comments —— philip comments sections - contractors, philip comments —— philip comments sections with l philip comments sections with happy— philip comments sections with happy stop. — philip comments sections with happy stop. but _ philip comments sections with happy stop. but it— philip comments sections with happy stop. but it is— happy stop. but it is remarkable - happy stop. but it is remarkable so- happy stop. but it is| remarkable so these happy stop. but it is- remarkable so these puns as happy stop. but it is— remarkable so these puns as we heard _ remarkable so these puns as we heard earlier, _ remarkable so these puns as we heard earlier, these _ remarkable so these puns as we heard earlier, these illusions- heard earlier, these illusions in its — heard earlier, these illusions in its hard _ heard earlier, these illusions in its hard to— heard earlier, these illusions in its hard to keep _ heard earlier, these illusions in its hard to keep up. - heard earlier, these illusions in its hard to keep up. so- heard earlier, these illusions in its hard to keep up. so i. in its hard to keep up. sol think— in its hard to keep up. sol think it— in its hard to keep up. sol think it is— in its hard to keep up. sol think it isa_ in its hard to keep up. sol think it is a numbers- in its hard to keep up. so ij think it is a numbers game in its hard to keep up. so i- think it is a numbers game and ifenough— think it is a numbers game and if enough people _ think it is a numbers game and if enough people are _ think it is a numbers game and if enough people are trying - think it is a numbers game and if enough people are trying to. if enough people are trying to -et if enough people are trying to get out — if enough people are trying to get out the _ if enough people are trying to get out the word _ if enough people are trying to get out the word about - get out the word about something _ get out the word about something i— get out the word about something i think- get out the word about something i think the i get out the word about. something i think the can.

howard _ something i think the can. howard zhang, _ something i think the can. howard zhang, you - something i think the can. howard zhang, you were i something i think the can. - howard zhang, you were talking earlier about how china's going more towards north korea in press freedoms what is like as a journalist in china? can you just turn up at the scene of a crime or a court case? if just turn up at the scene of a crime or a court case?- crime or a court case? if you don't mind _ crime or a court case? if you don't mind being _ crime or a court case? if you don't mind being arrested i don't mind being arrested eventually, but yes but in reality— eventually, but yes but in reality it _ eventually, but yes but in reality it is becoming next to impossible and the only way is almost — impossible and the only way is almost through client assigned, private — almost through client assigned, private contacts and may be meeting _ private contacts and may be meeting up in places —— glenda and protecting the identity of your— and protecting the identity of your interviewees. that and protecting the identity of your interviewees.— and protecting the identity of your interviewees. that is the case if you — your interviewees. that is the case if you are _ your interviewees. that is the case if you are domestic - your interviewees. that is the case if you are domestic or i case if you are domestic or international?— case if you are domestic or international? domestic if you are 'ust international? domestic if you are just doing _ international? domestic if you | are just doing pro-government are just doing pro—government reporting — are just doing pro—government reporting you have the green light — reporting you have the green liuht. ., , , light. you see things getting any better? _ light. you see things getting any better? for _ light. you see things getting any better? for china? - light. you see things getting any better? for china? for l any better? for china? for reporting in general. it’s

reporting in general. it's unlikely _ reporting in general. it's unlikely because - reporting in general. it's unlikely because if you read the report national security is mentioned no less than 50 times _ mentioned no less than 50 times. and the economy is no longer— times. and the economy is no longer the _ times. and the economy is no longer the party. times. and the economy is no longerthe party. if times. and the economy is no longer the party. if you really read — longer the party. if you really read the _ longer the party. if you really read the report, it is not important but it is not the priority— important but it is not the priority any more. it is survival— priority any more. it is survival of the party and security _ survival of the party and security of the nation. for them _ security of the nation. for them. that is more the priority _ them. that is more the priority-— them. that is more the riori . ., ., priority. thank you all so much. priority. thank you all so much- 25 _ priority. thank you all so much. 25 years - priority. thank you all so much. 25 years ago - priority. thank you all so much. 25 years ago this | priority. thank you all so - much. 25 years ago this week one of the most profitable media franchises in history launched, now a new podcast tells the story.— tells the story. three words rand tells the story. three words grand theft _ tells the story. three words grand theft auto. _ tells the story. three wordsl grand theft auto. innovative. j°y grand theft auto. innovative. joy writing. grand theft auto. innovative. joy writing-— grand theft auto. innovative. joy writing. provocative. being chased by _ joy writing. provocative. being chased by police _ joy writing. provocative. being chased by police cars. - joy writing. provocative. being chased by police cars. fun. - chased by police cars. fun. millions — chased by police cars. fun. millions of _ chased by police cars. fun. millions of us _ chased by police cars. fun. millions of us know- chased by police cars. fun. millions of us know it - chased by police cars. fun. millions of us know it gta. | chased by police cars. fun. . millions of us know it gta. his urandest millions of us know it gta. his grandest game being of course

grand theft auto. chris is the podcast hosts and he is here. hello chris. so when that thought i called that one of the most profitable media franchises in history it has made about $9 billion since being released give us the biggest —— basic premise of the game how would you summon a? it game how would you summon a? it is freedom at the heart of the skin. many people who were spoken to during the making of this podcast that is the word that keeps coming up. freedom to go where you like in this huge open world. if you want to cruise down a beautiful coastal road you can do that. if you want to carry out a hit on a rival crime gang you can do that. if you just want to drive around one of these cities based on either new york or miami or whatever it might be, you can do that. but it is completing missions and being a

criminal in the process. figs completing missions and being a criminal in the process. $5 a criminal in the process. as a set that has _ criminal in the process. as a set that has been _ criminal in the process. as a set that has been usually . set that has been usually successful but is also been hugely controversial and all of these 25 years. it hugely controversial and all of these 25 years.— hugely controversial and all of these 25 years. it is been both of those things _ these 25 years. it is been both of those things and _ these 25 years. it is been both of those things and keeping i of those things and keeping about our podcast is that this is so much than the story of the game. this is a tale of modern culture. you touch on in the introduction. when you listen you hear the gta is a violent, funny, dark it is full of satire. it really revolutionised the medium. the first time in gimme you were rewarded for being bad. for the first time... rewarded for being bad. for the first time. . .— first time... what does that tell us about _ first time... what does that tell us about our _ first time... what does that tell us about our society - first time... what does that| tell us about our society and what that we want to do is that we have a game that makes you be bad. a, . we have a game that makes you be bad. , , be bad. maybe so but the people who began _ be bad. maybe so but the people who began to _ be bad. maybe so but the people who began to make _ be bad. maybe so but the people who began to make this - be bad. maybe so but the people who began to make this game i who began to make this game realise that that was what was wanted. initially he could be the place also been known to them a matter of months to realise it was a lot more fun to be the criminal. it realise it was a lot more fun to be the criminal. it punched out to me. — to be the criminal. it punched out to me. i— to be the criminal. it punched out to me, i have _ to be the criminal. it punched out to me, i have to - to be the criminal. it punched out to me, i have to say - to be the criminal. it punched out to me, i have to say it - to be the criminal. it punched| out to me, i have to say it was pretty shocking and lots of other people did, but i remember, i can't member which one, was it the second where

one, was it the second where one of the things he could do was pay a six worker for six and then kill her afterwards and then kill her afterwards and get money back afterwards. there are deeply shocking elements of the game i think the actually might be referring to gta three. you can kill police officers. _ gta three. you can kill police officers, drugs, _ gta three. you can kill police officers, drugs, guns, - gta three. you can kill police | officers, drugs, guns, stealing cars that was all ready a lot of moral panic around the state of moral panic around the state of video games partly after the first mass shootings in schools in america. in columbine for example people were being me video games for that will stop politicians got involved, parent groups all of the rest of it. ~ . parent groups all of the rest of it. ~ , ., . ., of it. when rising violence and there is an _ of it. when rising violence and there is an argument - of it. when rising violence and there is an argument on - of it. when rising violence and there is an argument on that. | there is an argument on that. it is makers, rockstar games were clear and they are clear now. this is an adult game and it is rated as such. the movies

that it emulates, goodfellas, scarface, 18 plus films, if they argue that they can pick those kinds of scenes with the reading why cannot a video game and they would say we only make the game, we do not sell it. it is down to the retailers to sell it appropriately and down to parents stop at getting into younger hands. the to parents stop at getting into younger hands.— to parents stop at getting into younger hands. the back story is really interesting _ younger hands. the back story is really interesting to - younger hands. the back story is really interesting to the - is really interesting to the podcasts, sorry, to the people behind the game. your podcast tells the history of it and its origins stop which is this unlikely collaboration between a x public school boy from london and will from dundee. it has been described as bright and's greatest coding success. it is an interesting debate. i it is an interesting debate. i wonder what alan turing would think about it? irate wonder what alan turing would think about it?— think about it? we take listeners _ think about it? we take listeners from - think about it? we take listeners from those . think about it? we take l listeners from those very humble beginnings that you were talking about a game being developed by a very small team in dundee and this is right at the infancy of video gaming as

well. they were desperately trying to keep the whole thing on track they were called dma design and that entered this genius like figure and gaming terms. a they change the name of the game that they were creating too grand theft auto and would form a company called rockstar games and would have an office in new york. that the big presidents —— presence in edinburgh as well. big presidents -- presence in edinburgh as well.— edinburgh as well. they are huael edinburgh as well. they are hugely successful _ edinburgh as well. they are hugely successful and - edinburgh as well. they are | hugely successful and really known outside the gaming world has ever heard of them. which is incredible, really. did you try to get an interview with them? edit try to get an interview with them? . ., , try to get an interview with them?_ and - try to get an interview with | them?_ and they try to get an interview with - them?_ and they don't them? of course. and they don't do interviews. _ them? of course. and they don't do interviews. they _ them? of course. and they don't do interviews. they are - do interviews. they are famously _ do interviews. they are famously elusive. - do interviews. they are famously elusive. they| do interviews. they are - famously elusive. they hardly ever give interviews we went to boxer and said this is what we are doing, these are our aims we will touch and do things, come and see to us at the bbc. they did not they were not expecting the two but they do not need to do this then. a

more elusive strategy has worked just fine for them up to now. i worked 'ust fine for them up to now. ., ., _ ., worked 'ust fine for them up to now. ., ., ., , now. i will have to say that is the end i'm _ now. i will have to say that is the end i'm afraid _ now. i will have to say that is the end i'm afraid that's - now. i will have to say that is the end i'm afraid that's all l the end i'm afraid that's all we have time for but thank you so much in particular you just now. we will be back on the media show next week but for now thank you for listening: goodbye. it's going to be a cold weekend that is for sure. so if you are out and about wrap up warmly, as we often say. the forecast through the night shows showers, will have had them across eastern counties i think blown off the north sea will stop by a strong easterly breeze, not desparately cold in the morning. it is the wind that is preventing the temperatures from dipping too low. then tomorrow variable amounts of cloud for the morning onwards. it could be quite overcast in

the north west of scotland with rain at times again a few showers around eastern counties perhaps drifting across the pennines and quite cloudy in cloudy in the south. it will feel colder than that because of the strength of the wind, particularly on the north sea. i think sunday it is going to feel every bit of chilly it if anything it will feel colder in the south because of thick, grey skies. showers will continue around the north sea goes again pushed in by the easterly wind.

this is bbc news. i'm vishala sri—pathma. our top stories — the g7 and australia join europe's plan to cap the price of russian oil, reducing the revenues that help moscow fund its war in ukraine. prince william awards the earthshot prize, recognising those working to address climate change. more drama at the world cup, as the group stage comes to an end — south korea grab a late winner to progress, at the expense of uruguay. and will smith in london to promote his film, emancipation, and avoiding talking about that ceremony. hello and welcome to bbc news.