Documentary depicts Chinese citizen-reporters illuminating economy's downside, 6 pm July 15

The National Press Club's Press Freedom Committee, Reporters Without Borders, POV and the New America Foundation will host a screening of "High Tech, Low Life" followed by a discussion with the filmmaker and a panel of experts at 6 p.m. Monday, July 15, at the Club.

The film follows two of China's first citizen-reporters, as they document the underside of the country's rapid economic development. A search for truth and fame inspires young vegetable seller "Zola" to report on censored news stories from the cities, while retired businessman "Tiger Temple" makes sense of the past by chronicling the struggles of rural villagers.

The ticketed event is free for Club members. Click here to jump to the ticket form.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Stephen Maing, director and producer of "High Tech, Low Life," Delphine Halgand, U.S. director, Reporters Without Borders, and Rebecca MacKinnon, co-founder, Global Voices Online, and senior research fellow, New American Foundation.

Land grabs, pollution, rising poverty, local corruption and the growing willingness of ordinary people to speak out are grist for these two bloggers, who navigate China's evolving censorship regulations and challenge the boundaries of free speech.

An Official Selection of the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival, the film is a co-production of ITVS and the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) and a co-presentation with CAAM.

View the trailer here.