You're not going to read about this in any of the mainland media outlets, but a Chinese court has just cleared China Reform magazine of libel. The court in Guangzhou ruled against a property developer that had been suing for libel over an article saying the company had been stripped of its assets, posted losses and laid off workers after several changes of ownership. Normally in China libel suits are used to bully media outlets.

This time, however, the court saw things differently. They ruled that journalists have immunity if reports are backed by "reasonable and believable" sources. China's constitution, in Article 35, says citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration. Obviously that's not always the case. But this case could represent the start of something big. Then again, it might not. No doubt the judgement will be appealed. But it's a start.