How the Government Presents Information about Events in China - Case Study Example

Media in China Introduction The media in China has been, for quite a while now, controlled by their government. News and information distributed to the public is proscribed and censored by their government. No subversive, passionate, or seditious reports are allowed to be printed and filtered into the reading public. All information distributed must be in keeping with their political ideologies and socio-cultural beliefs. Articles or reports that attempt to unsettle the political stability of the government and the socialist philosophies of the Chinese people are promptly obscured or censored from their papers. Media in China is owned by the government. It serves their purposes well in keeping the information released to the public reflective of their power and dominance over their constituents. It is for the above reasons that their media and their government have been widely criticized by the Western world as a medium of control and manipulation. China has been frequently censured for its stand on Tibet, Taiwan, and generally for its attitude against the freedom of the press and of free speech. This research explores how the above ideas about media in China are actually being played out on contemporary issues that presently plague this nation. It explores how the government presents information about events in China, the angle in which these information is presented, what they reflect about the government, and how these same information are being treated by other scholars, analysts, and press reports from other sources. It covers information seen and read from three of their major papers and media outlets released from the 3rd through the 8th of June, 2008. News Articles and Issues Presented From the 3rd to the 8th of June, this researcher monitored daily the news being presented by China’s major media outlets. From the People’s Daily Online, several interesting reports were monitored and analyzed. The same was done with the China Daily.com and the Beijing Review websites. On the onset, the May 12, 2008 earthquake was a major content of these websites. The information mostly presented about the earthquake was about the relief efforts being undertaken by the government and the actions of their officials in maintaining the morale of the people in the hardest hit areas. The news also showed the outpouring of support from other countries and international organizations. Their news reflected how ‘people’s attitude toward life’ has changed (China Daily.com, 04 June, 2008). Efforts by the CPC to supervise the distribution of relief goods were highlighted. It was interesting to note how the government wanted to impose order from the very beginning. They did not report any corrupt practices in the distribution of the relief goods, but they were clearly imposing safeguards to prevent any misuse of goods. In their need to maintain order amidst the disaster that visited their nation, their government successfully sent a clear warning to its people and any other would-be offenders of how their dishonesty would be ‘severely punished’ (People’s Daily.com, 03 June, 2008). A different angle of this same story was presented in the USA Today when they reported that as the Chinese government was dealing with the earthquake disaster, it was also managing complaints of misappropriation of relief goods. They reported that an official was suspected of misusing earthquake funds which caused a riot in one of the towns hit by the quake. This information was never reported in their official news outlets. What was reported was the fact that the Chinese government was strictly monitoring the distribution of the relief goods, and the fact that it issued a warning to possible offenders who would be severely punished for their mishandling of relief funds. It did not present information about what led them to strictly monitor the distribution of goods. This censorship can be seen as an attempt to conceal the corrupt acts of their government officials. They really want to project a sturdy and unspoiled view of the government. News of corruption released in the press would very likely open the government to criticism from their constituents and from the outside world. It was surprising to note that in the chinadigitaltimes.net, they reprinted a story from the Associated Press about how Chinese police officers were ‘blocking protest efforts of parents who are angered by the shoddy construction of their children’s schools’ (Chinadigitaltimes.net, 03 June, 2008). The article also opined that this move by the Chinese government showed how it was standing firm on its ground in preventing public displays of outrage and grief. This vital event amidst news about the earthquake was never reported by their news outlets. In retrospect, if this information was not reported by the Associated Press, it may never have been re-printed in their official news websites. In a way, they never took credit for the news nor did they acknowledge it as a legitimate event or opinion of their government. Whatever their motives for allowing the story to be re-printed, it is a worthy effort towards their minimization of censorship in their news. Their news also did not dwell too much on the issue of the poor construction of the school buildings which led to the death of many school children. Western media like in the United States or the UK would have severely criticized concerned authorities for poor building construction. They would have launched a barrage of articles and editorials echoing protesting citizens’ views. But Chinese media focused on its efforts towards improving the future construction of school buildings. They also pointed out the difficulties in the implementation of better building standards. The grief of the hysterical mothers dragged from the scene by police officers was not properly addressed by the government. Their news did not reflect any coverage on the rights of the grieving mothers to express their heartfelt indignation against the Chinese government. News coverage from the New York Times has revealed that China ignored warnings of possible earthquake risks in the Longmenshan Belt where the May 12 earthquake struck. For decades, many Chinese scientists have warned government authorities of the possibility of a major earthquake occurring in the area. They also advised government officials to strengthen the building construction and to limit urban growth in these possible earthquake areas. Since the first major earthquake struck the Wenchuan province in 1933, various experts have expressed the possibility of another major earthquake occurring along the fault line. In fact, last year July, two scientists authored a paper about the possibility of a major quake in said area. A month before the earthquake struck, these two scientists again expressed this possibility occurring. The government did not heed these warnings; it did not prepare the region for any such occurrence, not even to conduct safety drills. The New York Times reported that these safety measures would have gone a long way in reducing the death toll in the region. It also reported that the Chinese media did not report this news at all in their papers. Chinese media focused on how ‘the ruling Communist Party has hailed its own vigorous response to the quake as evidence of its concern for human life, and has generally received positive reviews at home and abroad for its rescue efforts after the quake’ (French, 05 June, 2008). As was monitored from their daily news, this researcher is prompted to agree with the New York Times on how China has conveniently blocked out vital information from their papers and media outlets. And how indeed, their news focused more on what their government was doing to care for their citizens. USA Today also reported that engineers declared ‘shoddy construction and poor planning contributed to the toll of China’s devastating earthquake’ (USA Today, 06 June, 2008). They reported that the death toll would not have reached such devastating numbers if the buildings constructed around the shifting and unstable area followed and complied with the building codes. The school buildings were poorly constructed considering that they were built near a river bend. The report also mentioned the concerns raised by the Chinese scientists before the earthquake about the probability of a major earthquake occurring in the area. This report went on to say that the government was indeed aware of the fact that the Wenchuan region was unstable and may be hit by a major quake. Government officials said that they could only use these reports as reference. This treatment of vital information by the Chinese government reiterates the fact that, despite crucial information available to them, they would only report what is in their best interests to report. Their post-earthquake coverage reflected an image of a united China, it portrayed their citizens as part of ‘one Chinese nation’ (People’s Daily.com, 21 May, 2008). Their news subtly put across the message that Taiwan and its other controversial territories support one government and one China. It can also be gleaned that China is projecting a hardy and normal image to the whole world. They report that life is getting back to normal in China, that their economy may be struggling in some aspects, but it is just temporary. They report that there are no massive health outbreaks in the region. It can be recalled that China was previously severely criticized for suppressing information about the 2003 SARS outbreak in some of their provinces. But in their present news, they were quick to reassure the world that possible health problems were being properly addressed by the government. Their reports all lead us to conclude that they will be able to cope well with this crisis. They appreciate and welcome relief efforts from other countries, but they try very hard to reassure us that they will rise above this tragic event in their history. Another news that drew the attention of this researcher were the preparations being undertaken for the upcoming Olympics. They reported that they were dealing well with the necessary preparations for the Olympics. They reported that they will be ready for the Olympics in good time. Their news also gave an account of government guidelines on how foreigners, tourists and media were supposed to behave while in the country. The report stated that China would deny entry to ‘foreigners suspected of having the potential to carry out terrorist or violent attacks or indulge in subversive activities’ (People’s Daily.com, 03 June, 2008). The regulations clearly made no room for possible disruption by the foreigners of their social order. From a practical point of view, this researcher supposes that behavior guidelines are necessary in order to protect the citizens and the participants alike; however, the guidelines which were issued were more than guidelines; they were as good as warnings. This situation may be likened to a host inviting guests to a social gathering and telling them not to touch anything, not to change anything, not to blow up the house, not to be rowdy or noisy, and generally follow the rules of the house. These impositions really lay it on to Olympic participants how they are expected to behave while in China. These regulations do not go so far as to say, ‘or else,’ but that message is nevertheless loud and very much clear. For any reporter worth his credibility, a review of China’s reputation of jailing members of the media should be enough warning for him to tread gently, lest he ‘harm China’s national security or damage [its] social order’ (People’s Daily.com, 03 June, 2008). The news was reported in a matter-of-fact manner, as if it was a natural and normal news article for them to release. It was also clearly directed towards those who had subversive plans. It was not a welcome mat to foreign delegates and tourists. NBC news reported that China issued a warning to foreigners attending the Olympics. They said that ‘foreigners attending the Beijing Olympics better behave---or else’ (NBC news, 02 June, 2008). They went on to discuss the directives issued to foreigners. The regulations indeed firmly prevented the staging of any protests without permission from the Chinese government. Apparently, China was concerned about possible protests to be staged by students and activists about issues ranging from Tibet to media censorship. These regulations were said to contrast with what the IOC President Jacques Rogge said about the freedom of speech and expression of all people, including athletes. Chinese news did not mention much about prohibitions on the entry to some areas of China—like Tibet, but the NBC news noticed this prohibition and made mention of this point as a worthy point of contention for Western media. On 6 June, 2008, the China Daily reported that 16 Tibetan monks were arrested for bombing charges. The report did not present or publicize evidence to establish the truth of their allegations. It also did not present any information from the point of view of the monks. It went so far as to say that the police was able to gain the confession of the suspects, but the suspects’ reasons for their bombing activities were not presented. It would have been unbiased reporting to present the side of the Tibetan monks, but the news article was not forthcoming in this regard. It chose to present the side of the government by quoting an official who said, ‘real Buddhists should learn Buddhist scriptures by heart, love their country and their religion, abide by law, and bring happiness to the people. They should not get involved in cruel killings and sabotage." (China Daily, 06 June, 2008). It successfully condemned the monks as violent rebels with no love for their religion or country. UPI also covered the above news. It is substantially similar to their reports but it made mention of the fact that the arrests were made a month before the news was made public by the Chinese government. It was unclear why the arrests were not immediately made public. UPI also reported that there were no mentioned casualties of the alleged bombings, and that police claimed that the suspects have ‘been listening to foreign radio for a long time and were following separatist propaganda from the Dalai Lama’ (UPI, 05 June, 2008). The report also made mention of the fact that the Dalai Lama was denying the truth of the allegations. From the UPI angle, the Chinese government was a bit suspicious in its arrests of the Tibetan monks. In not so many words, UPI was presenting some questionable angles of the arrest, the statements issued by the suspects, and the fact that China waited for a month before releasing information about the arrests made. In extrapolating further, UPI was implying its doubts as to the veracity of the confessions made by the monks. As expected from the Chinese government’s angle, they refer to Tibet as the Tibet autonomous region, which very much reiterates their sovereignty over the region. The Tibet issue has long been a point of contention for many concerned parties. Any reference to Tibet in their news is to emphasize the region as a part of China. Any other declarations to the contrary by the Dalais or the Western world are seen as interference and meddling in its internal affairs. They refer to the Dalai Lama as an insincere symbol of Buddhist ideologies. They see him as a master manipulator of Western affection, using the Democratic ideologies of the free world in order to crumble the harmony of a united China. The 15th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre was also covered by their news. However, the stress was made on the quiet observation of this event in order to afford respect and consideration for those who died during the May 12 earthquake. Their news also reported that mourning for the Tiananmen dead was also banned. These reports were issued as regulations. There were few discussions on the happenings and events of the Tiananmen Square incident. The government used the May 12 earthquake as an excuse to stem possible protests or rallies to commemorate the Tiananmen Square Massacre. Their news covered a statement by a Chinese scholar about how some of the Chinese media who rallied fifteen years ago espousing free speech and protesting government acts abandoned these same views ‘in exchange for villas in the countryside equipped with saunas and gyms, and almost limitless expense accounts’ (Ma Jian, 03 June, 2008). This report was an attempt to discredit the actions of those who fought for their ideals fifteen years ago. From other sources covering the anniversary, Paris press reported that fifteen years after the Tiananmen Square protests, ‘the use of the term 4 June is still banned in the press and on the Internet, and journalists and Internet users are still suffering the consequences of the censorship and repression introduced after the Beijing Spring’ (World Press Organization, 02 June, 2008). CNN reports reviewed the events leading up to the Tiananmen Massacre. They reiterated the fact that the Chinese government never admitted the actual number of people who died during the Tiananmen crackdown. The report also stated that even if the government was conveniently ignoring the anniversary of the massacre, many students and citizens still gathered to commemorate the tragic event. The anniversary was downplayed by the Chinese government. It was their way of diminishing the sacrifices made by thousands of citizens and students in the name of freedom and its consequent tenets. Some analysts of Chinese media say that there is a loosening of the censorship reins. The Chinese government is not anymore as forbidding in its reports as before. However, the comparative reports and accounts above indicate that this loosening is not as loose as to accommodate the truth and the facts of events in and around China. Their government is very much the editor-in-chief of their news and reports. It is interesting to compare their views with the precepts of Western media. The Chinese government is cleverly covering its tracks. It is fascinating how different angles of a story can be made to look either rosy or rotten by those who try hard to use the story to fit their own destructive or constructive ends. It is sad because, as China continues to control information dissemination, the true stories and accounts get lost. Much as we would like to believe and even support their ‘angles,’ other more seemingly truthful accounts of the same stories are made public from other sources. In their nearly obsessive desire to maintain order and control over their people, they have compromised their credibility as a country and as a political ideology. Works Cited “16 Tibetans held on bombing charges”. China Daily.com. (06 June, 2008). Retrieved 06 June, 2008 from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-06/06/content_6741189.h “16 Tibetan monks arrested”. UPI.com. (05 June, 2008) Retrieved 07 June, 2008 from http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/06/05/16_Tibetan_monks_arrested/UPI-5318122666069 “Behavior guide issued for foreigners during Olympics”. People’s Daily.com. (03 June, 2008) Retrieved 03 June, 2008 from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/6422941.html “Beijing almost ready for Olympics”. China Daily.com. (07 June, 2008) Retrieved 07 June, 2008 from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/2008-06/07/content_6740457.htm Cara, Anna. “China Blocks Quake School Protesters”. (05 June, 2008). Chinadigitaltimes.net. Retrieved 05 June 2008 from http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2008/06/china-blocks-quake-school-protesters/ “China Warns Tourists Traveling To Olympics”. NBC News. (02 June, 2008) Retrieved 03 June, 2008 from http://www.nbc10.com/sports/16462611/detail.html?rss=phi&psp=sports Chen, Bonnie. “Silent Respect Marks Tiananmen Protest”. (05 June, 2008). China.digitaltimes.net. Retrieved 05 June, 2008 from http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2008/06/silent-respect-marks-tiananmen-protest/ “Chinese Police Drag Grieving Parents From Protest”. Chinadigitaltimes.net. (03 June, 2008). Retrieved 05 June, 2008 from http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2008/06/chinese-police-drag-grieving-parents-from-protest/ “Chinese Premier underscores production resumption in quake zone”. People’s Daily.com. (04 June, 2008) Retrieved 04 June, 2008 from http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/6423736.h “CPC discipline watchdog tightens supervision over disaster relief funds, goods.” People’s Daily.com. (03 June, 2008) Retrieved 03 June, 2008 from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/6423687.html. “Experts: Shoddy Construction contributed to China death toll”. USA Today. (06 June, 2008) Retrieved 06 June, 2008 from http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-06-06-china-construction_N.htm?csp=34 “Fifteenth Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre”. World Press.org. (02 June, 2008) Retrieved 08 June, 2008 from http://www.worldpress.org/Asia/1867.cfm French, Howard. “Scientists Say China Disregarded Warnings on Earthquake Risk”. The New York Times. (05 June, 2008) Retrieved 06 June, 2008 from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/world/asia/05quake.html?em&ex=1212811200&en=4cc9d179a1236b46&ei=5087%0A Ma Jian. “On the 19th Anniversary of Tiananmen, Ma Jian Speaks Out Against the Silence of Chinese Writers”. Chinadigitaltimes.net. (03 June, 2008) Retrieved 05 June, 2008 from http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2008/06/on-the-19th-anniversary-of-tiananmen-ma-jian-speaks-out-against-the-silence-of-chinese-writers/ Mariner, Joanne. Remembering Tiananmen Square. CNN.com (07 June, 2008) Retrieved 07 June, 2008 from http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/06/07/mariner.tiananmen/ “Mourning Banned For Tiananmen Dead” Chinadigitaltimes.net. (03 June, 2008). Retrieved 05 June, 2008 from http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2008/06/mourning-banned-for-tiananmen-dead/ “No Mass Health Problems in Quake Zone”. Beijing Review. (03 June, 2008). Retrieved 03 June, 2008 from http://www.bjreview.com.cn/headline/txt/2008-06/03/content_124788.htm “Olympic Family grants strong support for Chinas quake relief”. People’s Daily.com. (03 June, 2008) Retrieved 03 June, 2008 from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/6422932.html “Quake jolts peoples attitude toward life”. China Daily. (04 June, 2008). Retrieved 04 June, 2008 from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-06/04/content_6733409.htm “Senior official encourages people in hardest-hit quake areas”. People’s Daily.com. (04 June, 2008) Retrieved 04 June, 2008 from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/index. “Senior official Li Changchun visits journalists, victims in quake zone”. People’s Daily.com. (03 June, 2008) Retrieved 03 June, 2008 from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/6422927.htm. “We are part of one Chinese nation.” People’s Daily.com. (21 May, 2008). Retrieved from http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90780/91345/6415457.html Appendix June 3, 2008 logs (People’s Daily Online) 1. CPC discipline watchdog tightens supervision over disaster relief fund, goods. Retrieved from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/6423687.htm 2. Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao reporters invited to cover Tibet after Lhasa riot. Retrieved from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/6423624.html. 3. Senior official Li Changchun visits journalists, victims in quake zone. Retrieved from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/6422927.htm 4. Olympic Family grants strong support for Chinas quake relief. Retrieved from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/6422932.html 5. Behavior guide issued for foreigners during Olympic. Retrieved from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/6422941.html 6. We are part of one Chinese Nation. Retrieved from http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90780/91345/6415457.html June 3, 2008 (Beijing Review.net) 1. No Mass Health Problems in Quake Zone from http://www.bjreview.com.cn/headline/txt/2008-06/03/content_124788.htm June 4, 2008 (People’s Daily Online) 1. Senior official encourages people in hardest-hit quake areas. Retrieved from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/index.html 2. Soldiers scramble to search for downed helicopter. Retrieved from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/6423738.html 3. Chinese Premier underscores production resumption in quake zone. Retrieved from http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/6423736.html June 04, 2008 logs (China Daily) 1. Quake jolts peoples attitude toward life from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-06/04/content_6733409/htm. June 05, 2008 (Chinadigitaltimes.net) 1. Silent Respect Marks Tiananmen Protest. Retrieved from http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2008/06/silent-respect-marks-tiananmen-protest/ 2. China Blocks Quake School Protesters. Retrieved from http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2008/06/china-blocks-quake-school-protesters/ 3. Mourning Banned For Tiananmen Dead. Retrieved from http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2008/06/mourning-banned-for-tiananmen-dead/ 4. On the 19th Anniversary of Tiananmen, Ma Jian Speaks Out Against the Silence of Chinese Writers. Retrieved from http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2008/06/on-the-19th-anniversary-of-tiananmen-ma-jian-speaks-out-against-the-silence-of-chinese-writers/ 5. Chinese Police Drag Grieving Parents From Protest. Retrieved From http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2008/06/chinese-police-drag-grieving-parents-from-protest/ June 5, 2008 (People’s Daily Online) 1. FM: Chinas efforts on Darfur "no less than" any other countries. Retrieved from http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/6425358.html June 6, 2008 ( People’s Daily Online) 1. Hu Jintao approves regulations to ensure military democracy. Retrieved from http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/6425402.html 2. China not to sacrifice food for fuel: energy experts. Retrieved from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-06/06/content_6740514.htm June 6, 2008 (China Daily.com) 1. 16 Tibetans held on bombing charges. Retrieved from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-06/06/content_6740519.htm 2. Better building codes planned for schools. Retrieved from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-06/06/content_6741189.htm June 7, 2008 (China Daily.com) 1. Beijing almost ready for Olympics. Retrieved from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/2008-06/07/content_6740457.htm June 7, 2008 (People’s Daily.com) 1. Taiwan residents told to apply for mainland judicial exam. Retrieved from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/6425930.html 2. China wrapping up security inspections of Olympic equipment. Retrieved from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90779/90867/6425398.html June 8, 2008 (People’s Daily.com) 1. Carry the "one-to-one help" through to the end. Retrieved from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90780/91342/6425401.htm 2. China celebrates Dragon Boat Festival. Retrieved from http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90783/91300/6426585.html June 8, 2008 (China Daily) 1. Vice Premier Urges post-quake reconstruction. Retrieved from http://search.chinadaily.com.cn/searchen.jsp?searchText=June+8&ch=all Read More