The last time Gao was seen was in a confession broadcast on state TV.
"I will admit my wrongdoings," she said.
Her lawyer claims the confession was forced.
Du Yanlin, a friend of Gao`s, asked Friday, "How can exposing negative news be called `revealing secrets`?" Gao was detained almost a year ago. Her lawyer tells CBS News she will appeal.
Chinese journalists say this crackdown is very real, and it has a quieting effect. People are scared to write about anything that contradicts the party line, and Gao`s sentencing is likely a high-profile warning.
This incident is indicative of a wider trend in the country, as the Communist Party clamps down on dissent. Two years into Xi Jinping`s presidency, detentions have nearly quadrupled.
On Monday, Chinese officials released the "Beijing Five," five women`s rights campaigners who were detained for more than a month.
Wang Man, Zheng Churan, Wu Rongrong, Wei Tingting and Li Tingting were accused of creating a disturbance for preparing to distribute posters and stickers against domestic violence for International Women`s Day.
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