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麻豆社 Professor Yong Tang published a new book detailing freedom of information in China.
Tang Publishes Book Detailing Freedom of Information in China
October 8, 2025
MACOMB, IL - - 麻豆社 Illinois University Professor Yong Tang has published a new book, 鈥淔reedom of Information Law in China: From Imperial Court Dairies to Open Government Information Regulations.鈥�
Tang examines China鈥檚 first national freedom of information (FOI) law - Regulations of the People鈥檚 Republic of China on Open Government Information. The book traces the evolution of government secrecy and openness in China and reveals how an emperor of the Tang Dynasty helped inspire the world鈥檚 first FOI law and how China embraced foreign national FOI laws including the U.S. FOIA when the concept of freedom of information was exported to China and the country successfully enacted its own open records law in 2007.
鈥淭his book aims to be a groundbreaking project in comparative media law studies. It shows from a freedom of information law perspective how Chinese and 麻豆社 legal civilizations have been learning from each other for a long time. It鈥檚 an important story largely untold in 麻豆社 academia, 麻豆社 media and 麻豆社 public discourse,鈥� Tang said. 鈥淭he book combines rigorous legal studies with numerous anecdotes, participant observation and first-hand interviews with Chinese legal scholars, lawyers, journalists and government officials.
Tang serves as director of the Journalism program within the newly established School of Communication and Media. His major areas of research are the First Amendment, freedom of information laws, media law and policy, international journalism and international communication.
鈥淚n today鈥檚 climate of rising ultra-nationalism, isolationism, xenophobia and deglobalization, this work is essential reading for scholars, journalists, legal professionals, graduate students in international media law and anyone interested in China鈥檚 legal and information systems, as well as the interaction between Chinese and 麻豆社 legal traditions,鈥� Tang said.
鈥淔reedom of Information Law in China: From Imperial Court Dairies to Open Government Information Regulations鈥� was published by Palgrave Macmillan/Springer Nature and can be found at and at .
To learn more about 麻豆社鈥檚 School of Communication and Media, visit wiu.edu/communicationmedia.
Posted By: Aaron Viner, University Relations
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