"Adapting to China's Situation": Self-Censorship by

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GUANGZHOU 027723 SIPDIS USPACOM FOR FPA SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM SOCI PGOV CH SUBJECT: "Adapting to China's Situation": Self-Censorship by Two Mainstream Newspaper Editors in South China (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please handle accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Recent discussions with editors of two prominent South China newspapers revealed a conformist attitude and a willingness to "go with the flow." Based on these two interviews, Congenoffs found that mainstream journalists must be willing to work within the system in order to survive, and in fact are often content to do so. End Summary. Self-Censorship as Routine -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On July 7 Congenoffs met with Luo Guiqing, the managing editor of the international news section in the Guangzhou Daily; and on July 26, Congenoffs met with Wu Jiasheng, editor-in-chief of the Fujian Daily. (Note: There was FAO presence at the meeting with Wu, but not at the meeting with Luo. End note.) Both these newspapers, as dailies, function primarily as mouthpieces of the government, and as such represent the mainstream media outlets of Guangdong and Fujian respectively. Both interviews were striking in that they revealed how thoroughly the practice of self-censorship has entered the routine habits of these mainstream journalists. ¶3. (SBU) Luo admitted that he automatically practices self- censorship. For example, he said that he would rarely print anything negative about religions, especially minority religions in China such as Islam. The paper must always be careful with stories concerning Muslims or Muslim countries, said Luo, because the government is always concerned with "national unity," and China has a sizeable Muslim minority. Any topic that Chinese minorities might relate to must therefore be treated gingerly. ¶4. (SBU) Wu also demonstrated this self-censorship tendency in his comments about Taiwan. Based out of Fuzhou, the Fujian Daily naturally takes a special interest in Taiwan affairs. Wu said that Taiwan is a "complicated issue," and his principal in dealing with it is to be "objective and fair." He said that when covering Taiwanese politics, the paper tries to report on speeches by all politicians objectively. Yet Wu also made comments that revealed strong nationalist sentiment: while reporting on Taiwan, the Fujian Daily always tries to reflect the "blood ties" between Fujian and Taiwan, in an effort to show that Taiwan is part of China. In addition, Wu said that the paper always "looks forward" to reunification. These reporting angles are consistent with national policy towards Taiwan. Adapting to Reality -------------- ¶5. (SBU) When asked whether young journalists ever tend to try to be bolder in their writing than older ones, Luo admitted that sometimes new graduates just starting their careers are "nave," and must be "quickly taught realities." (Luo himself studied in Scotland, has traveled to numerous countries, and speaks excellent English.) This tendency is also common among Chinese journalists trained in Western journalism schools. However, to keep their jobs at Chinese publications, they must "adapt to China's situation." Some give up and quit the profession. For many, obtaining such a prestigious job may be worth compromising some ideals, since working in a mainstream news outlet is extremely competitive: according to Wu, each year the Fujian Daily runs recruitment campaigns at universities. Typically they have thousands of applicants, shortlist about 100, and 10 to 20 get the job. ¶6. (SBU) When asked whether he was dissatisfied with the situation in China, Luo essentially shrugged his shoulders and indicated that he was willing to do what he must to have a successful career. He said he is not very interested in "fighting the system," and added, "I know how to balance all these things." He explained that a good journalist is active, but not too bold, and practices "pragmatic idealism." ¶7. (SBU) Behaving well can yield special privileges, including access to restricted information from the Chinese government. In addition, as a highly-placed journalist with the approval of the government, Luo has opportunities that other journalists do not. He is frequently invited to official functions, including events hosted by foreign diplomats, and he is often able to travel abroad. GUANGZHOU 00027723 002 OF 002 Comment -------------- ¶8. (SBU) These ingrained biases show how thoroughly mainstream journalists have adopted the practice of self- censorship. Both editors, as well as other journalists Congenoffs have met, mentioned that the government does not need to rigorously monitor the media, because journalists practice self-censorship automatically. These editors said they have not attended any special training sessions in how to practice self-censorship. It is not marked as a special or separate topic, but instead comes with the normal territory of journalism in China. ¶9. (SBU) Luo is typical of highly-placed Chinese journalists: educated and worldly professionals who nevertheless are content to work within the restricted Chinese reporting environment. Luo has numerous foreign acquaintances and is widely traveled, which might induce him to become somewhat disenchanted with the Chinese system. Yet it is this system that allows him to continue to meet these kinds of contacts and to travel abroad, offering him opportunities that a less cooperative journalist would not have. End comment. MARTIN