Opinion | A rare apology – that warrants a presidential award
"City officials issue a rare apology – after authorities obstruct journalists on live TV," was the news headline, reported by the Macau Daily Times.
By Augustus K. Yeung
Journalists getting into hustle and bustle with local frontline law enforcers may be a common sight, but such incidents do damage China's image!
Two mega factors make this impending public issue worth discussing, or even debating in the nation's interest.
First, communication is and has always been a neglected topic, a "hidden" curriculum/learning skill. In the era of mass media and the dominance of the internet, the power and potential of media communication is even more important, especially when the Chinese leader has realized the importance of "telling China's story," and encouraged the followers to communicate to the outside world – in all things that matter most to the nation – for improving and enhancing bilateral relations.
Second, the relationships between the local law enforcers and the public have traditionally been problematic, due to various reasons. National security obsession is one. But local issues such as this live reporting from the scene has nothing to do with national security, which is non-negotiable.
Note: Fire hazards and accidents are important social issues as public lives are involved, making it worthy of reporting. For one thing, serious fire hazards are topics that should be put on the national agenda – as the public can be better educated and take precautions.
Such is the SPIRIT of the "Two Sessions" 2024.
After the National Peoples' Congress 2024, there is the need to discuss the areas or lessons that the Chinese must grasp – to toe the party line: At the NPC level, the leaders and representatives lay the plans, set the goals, leaving the mass/population to pick up the rest, which is action, NOW!
The following newspaper report provides a lively account as the material for public discussion on the role of and respect for journalists.
"City officials in eastern China apologized to local journalists – after authorities were shown pushing them and trying to obstruct reporting from the site of a deadly explosion – in a rare acknowledgment of state aggression against journalists," MDT, an English-language newspaper in the Greater Bay Area reported, quoting AP.
The city of Sanhe (near Beijing) issued a public apology yesterday after authorities were shown "harassing" reporters from state broadcaster CCTV during a live broadcast – near the site of a suspected gas leak explosion that killed seven and injured 27 on Wednesday.
A statement on the city's official website expressed "deep regret" over the treatment of the CCTV reporters and other media workers. (It said authorities were trying to remove the journalists from the site – because they were concerned about a potential gas leak.)
"The poor communication skills of our frontline staff and their rough and simplistic methods caused misunderstandings among journalists and doubts among the public – resulting in a negative social impact," it said.
The All-China Journalists Association put out a statement – defending the journalists' rights to report from disaster sites. "China's harassment of journalists is often directed at foreign reporters. Earlier this month, a Dutch journalist and a camera operator were detained while reporting on a protest outside an investment bank in the southwestern province of Sichuan," reported the foreign news agency.
Foreign journalists are also reportedly followed by plain-clothes police, especially when reporting from areas considered sensitive by the Chinese government. Such incidents are regularly condemned by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China, a professional group.
But the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which is the point of contact for foreign journalists in the country, has never in recent memory publicly acknowledged or apologized for the harassment.
"China is also the country with the most imprisoned journalists – 44 in 2023," according to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
"Over the past few years, China has also increasingly restricted journalists' access to politicians and officials of any kind..." (Source: MDT/AP)
The issue of freedom of the press in China is a subject worthy of debate or public discussion. The smearing negative American attitudes toward China is one social fact. The reasons may vary: The results of smearing campaigns on the part of the C.I.A.; the bias toward the CPC is another. But these issues happen abroad, the China Daily and other state media have been redressing the imbalance.
But at home in China, situations such as the one in Sinhe city are easier to manage. And, therefore, it may help – to polish China's public image – by putting it up for discussion, to improve the nation's communication skills.
The English-language newspaper that I have just quoted mentioned two issues: the role of the Chinese journalists; and the respect for foreign journalists covering China news.
For now, the burning issue of CCTV journalists being "removed" by local officials must be addressed immediately.
Consider this metaphor: The institution of modern China's mass media (CCTV included) is like a pair of hands, which cannot and should not be expected to fit properly into a pair of gloves – by force. Rather, the latter must be reworked to better fit the hands of a new generation of journalists, who are currently fighting a crucial "war of words" – with a superpower whose aim it is to nip the bud – before it blossoms into full bloom or stifle a socialist country with Chinese characteristics in ascendance.
Chinese journalists' rights, therefore, must be protected. By comparison, they are better educated, more widely exposed to the ever-changing international environment than the nation's local officials, and these journalists are often paid less, but often overworked.
Is respect for dutifully playing their professional role too much to ask for? Do we have to imitate Alan Paton, the South African patriotic writer, and "cry for the beloved country"?
The rarity of issuing an official statement of public apology shows these municipal officials have tacitly but courageously answered the consequential question.
We should also pay them great respect – for their spontaneity and sincerity, showing moral sensibility!
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
To contact the writer, please direct email: AugustusKYeung@ymail.com
Read more articles by Augustus K. Yeung:
Opinion | Why Chinese nationals, students (overseas) should beware of C.I.A. spy traps?
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