oneworldtalk

smalltok · Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 264 Location: USA

If 'guests', in this case journalists, do not behave in manners that are expected of them, then appropriate actions by concerned Chinese citizens are warranted. The comments made below from other discussions about unfair and often biased reporting by foreign journalists have indeed made some of them unwelcome in China. Really, China does not need these reporters around. I wonder why a BBC reporter by the name of James Reynolds is still around given the shallow and inaccurate reporting he has made of China and the recent riots in Tibet. I wonder how much Chinese history lessons these journalists have before they arrive to report on China. Many of them are not really serious journalists but have ulterior motives that could not be substantiated until they leave China with their reports. For those who are known to be biased and more concerned about writing or cooking up some unfounded stories really have no reasons to be in China especially for the Olympics. Unless, of course, these "journalists' are foreign agents bent on creating troubles.

XP:

Hot Chilly · Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 659 Location: Tropics

But we can't deny that there are curbs on press freedom. Criticising the political leadership and the country are definitely out of bounds. Foreign correspondents do fear that they may overstep the boundaries. The authorities have in the past arrested and detained some of whom are believed to be innocent. One such example is Straits Times correspondent Ching Cheong who was alleged to be a spy of Taiwan, even though he claimed not to know of his contacts' high level connections, had not betrayed sensitive information and was cooperative with the investigators by submitting all his data, which they in turn used to incriminate him.

Yes, I do agree, there are valid reasons for curbing journalists who are biased need to be warned and have their work visa denied. The CCP has probably done the right thing by warning against excessive display of overzealous patriotism in the wake of anti-China bashing. There is no double standards in this respect - excesses have to be managed whether they come from the west or the Chinese.

China has made impressive progress in the last two decades. It is well known that there are many privately managed media that are independent of state controls and do not echo the party line. They have a certain degree of freedom in highlighting social injustices and serve as a useful feedback to the leadership. The government should not be thin skinned and have the confidence dealing with problems.

Perhaps the way to go would be the consistent application of clear and institutionalized set of regulations and guidelines. Then foreign journalists would not have a strong case to complain about curbs on their practice. Gradual freedom of information and debate will make China greater than it is today.

smalltok · Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 264 Location: USA

He has a blog and intends to be around to spread more tales of China. His introduction will tell you how much he thinks of China. This "reporter" has no training whatsoever in Chinese history and language, and yet he is posted to Beijing. I guess we all know BBC wants "reporters" who can lie and falsify and make the host countries like China look bad.

XP · Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 622 Location: Beautiful Island

The censure of an ethnic Chinese editor employed by Germany's DW-Radio shows the lack of freedom of speech in the conservative-controlled democratic countries. In some cases, foreign journalists are ignorant and biased. However, journalists have a better feel of their subject matter would have to toe the editorial line. Even editors have to serve the interests of owners and some politicians with an agenda. Any positive comments on China will be gagged?

http://oneworldtalk.freeforums.org/german-radio-suspends-editor-who-defends-china-s-human-right-t1849.html#5200