China must come to terms with Olympic criticism, because it's going to get worse
My attention was recently turned to an article in the China Daily written by columnist Kang Bing (h/t to JFK Miller at Shanghaiist). In the article, titled "Handing media criticism," Mr. Kang argues that media have unfairly criticized Beijing in the lead-up to the games, more-so than other host cities. He also says reporters must re-evaluate their coverage and strive to be more fair:
I have no intention to criticize my journalist colleagues regarding any of the Games. I believe they were trying to live up to the trust of their readers and viewers to ensure the Games become better and fairer. But when we look back at our past reporting, can we come to the conclusion that we, as the media, could have been fairer and better?
Beijing seems to have received more criticism than other hosts. Air pollution and traffic problems are the issues widely expounded by the media.
While some overseas media are demonizing Beijing's air pollution and traffic problems, Beijing citizens seem to be happy to get more days of blue skies each year as compared with 2001 when the city won the Olympic bid. As for the traffic, while about half a dozen new subway lines will be open to the public before the Olympics, the authorities are working out traffic control plans which, according to them, should ensure a smooth flow during the Games. Meanwhile, subway and bus lines have been added while fares have been reduced.
The Chinese capital would be lucky if criticism against it ended just there. Beijing has kept its promise to the IOC on press freedom, but some media seem to be asking the host to adopt freedom and democracy according to their understanding and explanation. When not satisfied, they threaten to call for a boycott of the Games.
The argument was picked up and dissected by JFK Miller, who I think did an admirable job of explaining that many host cities - most notably and recently, Athens - have received substantial media criticism prior to the big event. In this respect, Beijing is no different.
But this article made me consider another side of the story, which is the vastly different way foreign media coverage is portrayed by people (both foreigners and Chinese) inside and outside China. To many Chinese and long-term foreign residents, it often seems like foreign reporters only pick on the negative aspects of China. Yes, we know the pollution is bad, the traffic is gridlocked, and we still stumble on dirty squat toilets in what should be respectable restaurants. Having somebody harp on these items long after we've gotten used to them is a boring storyline, and mildly annoying.
Many of us have chosen to live in China for a plethora of reasons: careers, business opportunities, marriages, studying, or whatever your particular case is. And like Mr. Kang, we can, occassionally, tend to react negatively when somebody is slamming the place we choose to live. But that doesn't make the foreign stories untrue, or any less worthy of being published.
There's no doubt, to this correspondent's eyes, that the media is having a field day with Beijing's pollution, the country's human rights record, traffic, and other controversial issues. And I say, good on 'em. Only through a thorough vetting of these issues, in a public light, can change be possible. Face means everything in China, and losing it can spur the authorities to accomplish great things.
Also, focusing on the negative reporting isn't entirely fair. One trip to a bookstore or news shop in the United States or Canada will reveal a plethora of magazines, periodicals, newspapers, and books touting China's rise, China's glittering new buildings, China's growing entertainment industry, China's increasing influence, etc. If one only wishes to find negative coverage, that's all one will see.
Finally, with regards to Mr. Kang's last comment surrounding foreign reporters' understanding of China's obligations for a free reporting environment: foreign reporters don't give a damn what China has promised to the IOC. They are here to follow their own leads, break news, and be first with stories to beat the competition. That's what foreign journalism is about, and that's what China's authorities are going to have to contend with.
So far, the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics has been rather uneventful, but that can change quickly. As has been mentioned elsewhere, protests are not the biggest challenge facing the government, it's how it will handle them. If somebody unfurls a FLG banner in Tiananmen Square, so be it. If a posse of officers come and beat the guy before hauling him off, then we have a story. It's up to the Chinese government to determine which way it chooses to go, and how it chooses to be viewed by the world community.
If the likes of Mr. Kang are concerned about negative reporting already, one only hopes the Chinese government sends its goons to the provinces prior to the opening ceremonies.
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Cam,
Here, here. I agree with most everything you've said, especially your statements regarding the foreign press' independence from government agenda--though that particular ideal in journalism, sadly, seems to have been forgotten by many so-called professionals in the states. But I digress.
Isn't Mr. Kang's editorial really just par for the course? I've seen/heard this kind of defense from a whole slew Chinese media outlets as well as people on the street. It's an old game: some reporter cuts his teeth on this-or-that corrupt scenario, and then a long line of Chinese dudes jump up and cry foul. Isn't that how it works over here?
It seems to me, if the western media can be accused of hyper-criticism (which is certainly a legitimate argument) then the Chinese media (read: the government) can absolutely be accused of hyper-sensitivity. The boys in Beijing would do well to grow some thicker skin. Let's see that commentary in the China Daily, eh?!
China will do as it likes and you can bet if the Olympics go well, China will be smug and if they don't go well, China will be vindictive. That's just sort of how it goes here.
Oh, and I see that horse racing with legal gambling will return to China in September for the first time since the government banned it in 1949. China figures you're taking a gamble with every breath, every bite of food and every phony med you take, might as well add racehorses to the list.
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