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Discourse & Society
http://das.sagepub.com/content/20/5/593
The online version of this article can be found at:

DOI: 10.1177/0957926509106412
2009 20: 593 Discourse Society
Jingrong Tong
discourse
Press self-censorship in China: a case study in the transformation of

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Press sel[-renscrship in Chinc: c rcse stuJv
in the trcns[crmcticn c[ Jisrcurse
l
! l NGkONG 1ONG
L l vLkPOOL ROPL UNl vLkSl 1, UK
A8S1kAC1 Tlis urticlc cxumincs tlc wuv in wlicl ncwspupcr discoursc
gcts clungcd. 0riginul rcports ol tlrcc sociul problcm cvcnts tlut journulists
scnt to two dillcrcnt ncwsrooms und rcports tlut wcrc publislcd urc
compurcd using criticul discoursc unulvsis. lt is urgucd tlut tlc pructicc ol
scll-ccnsorslip lclps ncwsrooms bvpuss politicul 'mincliclds'. und ut tlc sumc
timc incrcusc tlc possibilitics ol tlc publicution ol rcports on ligllv politicullv
scnsitivc topics. ln tlis scnsc. in tlc Clincsc uutlorituriun mcdiu svstcm.
scll-ccnsorslip lus potcntiullv bccomc u lorcc tlut incrcuscs mcdiu lrccdom
instcud ol u tlrcut to mcdiu lrccdom. Tlis spcciul lunction ol scll-ccnsorslip
lits wlut Crumsci dcscribcs us u 'wur ol position' lor Clincsc journulism.
KL WOkDS. Clincsc mcJia. Critical Disccnrsc Analusis. ncwsrccm pclitics.
scl[-ccnscrslip
lntrcJurticn
Tlis urticlc
2
cxumincs tlc wuvs in wlicl ncwspupcr discoursc gcts clungcd.
Tlis ullows us to scc low ncwsrooms cmplov scll-ccnsorslip to minimizc politicul
risks wlilc muximizing public intcrcst. 0riginul rcports ol tlrcc sociul problcm
cuscs journulists scnt to two ncwsrooms und tlc linul publislcd rcports urc com-
purcd using criticul discoursc unulvsis. lssucs ruiscd lcrc includc dillcrcntiul
conccrns bctwccn two ncwsrooms und umong ncws workcrs ut dillcrcnt lcvcls.
Considcrution is givcn to conllicts ol intcrcst bctwccn journulists und ncwsrooms
us u rcsult ol prcssurcs on tlc prcss. Tlc conllicts ol intcrcst lcud to tlc pruc-
ticc ol scll-ccnsorslip witlin ncwsrooms us u kcv wuv ol buluncing bctwccn tlc
powcr rclutions tlut inllucncc tlc mcdiu.
Tlcrc urc two rcusons lor tlcsc unulvtic cloiccs. lirst. tlc topic ol sociul
problcms is ligllv politicullv scnsitivc. Runkcd us tlc 'liglcst politicullv
scnsitivc rcporting minclicld'.
3
tlcsc topics must bc upprouclcd bv journulists
und ncwspupcrs in u vcrv curclul munncr. lxumining sucl politicullv scnsitivc
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topics clcurlv illustrutcs tlc clusl ol intcrcsts witlin Clincsc ncwsrooms.
Rcprcscntutions ol riots und tlc govcrnmcnt's rcsponsc to sociul problcms rcvcul
tlc distunccs bctwccn journulists. ncwsrooms und tlc uutloritics. und tlc dcgrcc
ol tlcir commitmcnt to olliciul discoursc.
Sccondlv. tlc cditoriul proccss is u scll-ccnsoring onc. Witlin tlc proccss.
inlormution in tlc originul rcports submittcd bv journulists to tlc cditor's dcsk
is includcd or cxcludcd bv ncwsrooms uccording to u ncwspupcr's ovcrull pos-
ition. undcrlving idcologv und undcrstunding ol tlc socio-politicul situution.
Sucl inclusions und cxclusions urc u rcsult ol tlc pructicc ol tlc politics ol
scll-ccnsorslip.
lxumining botl inclusion und cxclusion. tlcrclorc. is un cllicicnt mcuns
ol sccing low scll-ccnsorslip works in u ncwsroom. us wcll us rcvculing ncws-
pupcrs' idcologics. Vun lijk cvcn rcgurdcd tlc unulvsis ol tlc 'unsuid' us bcing
somctimcs morc rcvculing tlun tlut ol tlc 'suid' (Vun lijk. 1991). ll tlc originul
rcports urc uvuilublc to tlc rcscurclcr und tlc cditoriul proccss lcuding to tlc
linul rcport cun bc obscrvcd. it is possiblc to scc wlut ncwspupcrs do in tlc scll-
ccnsoring proccss in ordcr botl to rcport cvcnts und uvoid unnoving tlc
uutloritics.
As u rcsult ol tlis unulvsis. it is urgucd tlut scll-ccnsorslip lunctions us u
mcclunism lor ncgotiuting powcr rclutions in Clincsc ncwsrooms. Clincsc
ncwsrooms considcr not onlv politicul sulctv. but ulso journulists' prolcssionul
conccrns und otlcr rcquircmcnts ol sociul lorccs lor journulism. Tlc dcgrcc
to wlicl discoursc is clungcd bv scll-ccnsorslip. und in wlicl wuv. dcpcnds
on tlc prioritics ol ncwspupcrs. Pructising tlc politics ol scll-ccnsorslip lclps
ncwsrooms bvpuss politicul 'mincliclds'. und ut tlc sumc timc incrcuscs tlc
possibilitv ol tlc publicution ol rcports on ligllv politicullv scnsitivc topics. ln
otlcr words. scll-ccnsorslip muximizcs botl tlc public und privutc intcrcsts ol
muss mcdiu. cspcciullv tlc morc 'libcrul' mcdiu. ln tlis scnsc. in tlc Clincsc
uutlorituriun mcdiu svstcm. scll-ccnsorslip lus potcntiullv bccomc u lorcc
tlut incrcuscs mcdiu lrccdom instcud ol u tlrcut to mcdiu lrccdom. Tlc spcciul
lunction ol scll-ccnsorslip in Clincsc ncwsrooms lits wlut Crumsci dcscribcs
us u 'wur ol position' (Crumsci. 19).
Chinese meJic Jisrcurse cs c site c[ pcwer rcntest
Ncws discoursc lus u closc rclution to powcr. Tlc importuncc ol controlling ncws
discoursc in powcr strugglcs und in muintuining powcr lcuds to compctition lor
powcr ovcr mcdiu discoursc (luirclougl. 199). ln Clinu. mcdiu discoursc is
lirst ol ull controllcd bv tlc politicul clitc viu ccnsorslip. Bclorc tlc 190s. tlc
Purtv lcld u monopolv on tlc muss mcdiu in ordcr to propugutc Purtv policics
und cducutc pcoplc (Clun und 0iu. 2002). Sincc tlc 190s. murkctizution lus
brokcn down tlc Purtv's monopolv control ovcr tlc mcdiu und mudc room lor
libcrulizution und divcrsitv (Zluo. 199: Clun und 0iu. 2002). Ncvcrtlclcss.
muss mcdiu urc still obligcd to lollow tlc Purtv linc (Clun. 1993: Abcls. 2005).
Tlc currcnt Hu-Wcn lcudcrslip lopcs tlut tigltcning mcdiu control will lclp
rcconstruct tlc lcgitimucv ol its rulc (Zlcng ct ul.. 2005).
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0vcrt propugundu buns und inlormul instructions sct up rcporting mincliclds
(Tong. 2007). Tlcsc propugundu mincliclds prolibit mcdiu lrom rcporting on
topics rcgurdcd us u tlrcut to nutionul stubilitv. Tuboo topics rungc lrom criticism
ol Purtv lcudcrs. lumun riglts ubuscs und riots. to scvcrc uccidcnts or disustcrs.
und tlc rungc is incrcusing in rcccnt vcurs (Abcls. 2005: lrccdom ol Housc.
200). ln uddition to sucl prc-publicution rcstrictions. tlc uutloritics ulso
upplv post-publicution ccnsorslip. wlicl rcsults in u wurning to ncwsrooms
und politicul cruckdowns on tlosc mcdiu wlo brcuk rcstrictions (lrccdom ol
Housc. 200).
Tlc tigltcning politicul control ovcr mcdiu discoursc. lowcvcr. docs not
mutcl Clincsc idcologicul und sociul dcvclopmcnt in tlc post-rclorm cru. 0nc
signilicunt clungc in tlc idcologicul scctor is tlut tlc idcologv ol tlc lormcrlv
uutlorituriun. Communist countrv is now no longcr dominutcd bv olliciul
Murxist Communism. but bv u dissonuncc mixturc ol nco-conscrvutism. old
und ncw lcltism. libcrulism und otlcr intcllcctuul discourscs (Misru. 2003:
Wung. 2003). Tlcsc discourscs strivc lor mcdiu spucc to rcllcct tlcir spccilic
politicul uppculs.
lmplicutions lor ncw powcr rclutions ulso comc lrom tlc sociul scctor. Tlc
rcconligurcd pvrumid ol sociul strutilicution in post-rclorm Clinu lus u smull
group ol cconomic und politicul clitcs ut tlc top. u lurgcr group ol intcllcctuuls.
cxpcrt tcclniciuns. clcrks und tlc scll-cmplovcd in tlc middlc. witl tlc lurgcst
group ol workcrs. pcusunts und tlc uncmplovcd ut tlc bottom (lu. 2004).
Mucl cvidcncc. lor cxumplc tlc Slunglui muglcv ruil cxtcnsion cusc
4
. lus
slown tlut tlc sociul groups in tlc middlc und lowcr positions. und quusi-
sociul groups.
5
urc bcginning to compctc witl tlosc ut tlc top lor mcdiu covcrugc
ol tlcir own intcrcsts.
Tlc cmunciputorv lorccs rclcuscd bv tlc murkct. und tlc sociul und idcologicul
dcvclopmcnts. tlus posc u potcntiullv plurulistic clullcngc to politicul control.
Tlis plurulism is rcllcctcd in u rungc ol wuvs ol bcing innovutivc und divcrsc
in mcdiu outlcts. lor cxumplc ncw ncwspupcrs und clunncls witl morc opcn
contcnt und ncw gcnrcs ol journulism. sucl us invcstigutivc journulism (Wu.
2000). A signilicunt numbcr ol mcdiu pructitioncrs. purticulurlv journulists. scc
tlcmsclvcs us public intcllcctuuls witl u prolcssionul idcntitv tlut obligcs
tlcm to rcport on dillcrcnt sociul groups und to pusl lorwurd tlc boundurics
ol journulistic pructicc (Tong und Spurks. 2009). lor cxumplc. dcspitc con-
struints. Clincsc journulists luvc lound wuvs to dcvclop invcstigutivc rcporting in
linc witl tlcir ncw prolcssionul consciousncss (Hcrbcrt. 2001: Collings. 2002:
Tong. 2007).
Tlcsc signs ol libcrulizution in tlc prcss. lowcvcr. urc subjcct to construints.
including tlc inllucncc ol politicul clitcs. cconomic clitcs. powcrlul sociul
institutions. und cvcn tlc institutionul pursuits ol tlc privutc gouls ol mcdiu
orgunizutions. Tlc luttcr includc conccrns ovcr tlc cost ol cxpcnsivc invcstigutivc
journulism. politicul risks. commcrciul inccntivcs und tlcir ubilitv to compctc
in tlc murkct. Tlcsc privutc gouls. lowcvcr. not onlv limit mcdiu libcrulizution.
but ulso prcvcnt mcdiu institutions lrom untlinkinglv lollowing topdown
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Purtv ordcrs. Clincsc mcdiu urc obligcd to considcr commcrciul inccntivcs us
wcll us to cnsurc tlcir own dcvclopmcnt. Wlut Clincsc mcdiu luvc to do is to
lind u wuv to rcport on wlut tlc murkct wunts tlcm to rcport. but in u munncr
tlut is ncitlcr unnoving to tlc Purtv-Stutc nor totullv lollows udministrutivc
ordcrs lrom ubovc.
Tlcsc luctors compctc lor control ovcr mcdiu discoursc. Tlc rungc ol powcr
rclutions is widcr tlun just tlc politicul powcr ol tlc Purtv-Stutc und tlc
cconomic powcr ol tlc murkct. 0tlcr sociul lorccs join tlc liglt lor ucccss to
mcdiu discoursc lor tlcir own intcrcsts. including tlc public dcmund lor jour-
nulism. journulists' prolcssionul scll-idcntitv und tlc institutionul pursuit ol
botl public dutics und privutc gouls bv mcdiu orgunizutions. Scll-ccnsorslip is
tlus u mcclunism to ncgotiutc u wuv tlrougl ull tlcsc conllicting dvnumics.
8crlqrcunJ tc the rcse stuJv cnJ methcJs
1RL NLWSPAPLkS
Tlc two ncwspupcrs uscd in tlis studv urc lrom dillcrcnt gcogruplic rcgions in
Clinu: tlc Dalc Dailu (DD) lrom Hcnun Provincc und tlc Scntlcrn Mctrcpclitan
Dailu (SMD) lrom Cuungdong Provincc. Botl ncwspupcrs wcrc luunclcd in
1995. Tlcv urc botl ut u provinciul udministrutivc lcvcl.
(
Tlc DD is u commcrciul ollspring ncwspupcr ol tlc Hcnan Dailu Prcss
Conglomcrutc. lt cnjovs u ligl circulution und lurgc udvcrtising rcvcnuc. luring
its curlv vcurs ol dcvclopmcnt. it wus lumous lor its bruvc invcstigutivc jour-
nulism und wus cvcn rcgurdcd us bcing tlc initiutor ol criticul rcporting in Clinu
(}iu. 200(). lt lus gruduullv bccn trunslormcd into u commcrciul ncwspupcr tlut
is lcss criticul tlun bclorc.
Tlc SMD is u non-Purtv ollspring ol tlc Scntlcrn Dailu Prcss Conglomcrutc.
lt is u big scllcr und u lumous invcstigutivc ncwspupcr. lt built its rcputution on
its pugnucious invcstigutivc rcporting ol sociul issucs und tlc dodgv dccds ol
(locul) corrupt olliciuls.
7
lt is rcgurdcd us u pionccr in indcpcndcnt rcporting.
lor cxumplc witl its SARS rcports.

und us u purudigm ol tlc invcstigutivc

libcrul prcss.
1wc rcses c[ 'scricl ricts'
A 'sociul riot' is tlc outbrcuk ol tlc collcctivc rcscntmcnt ol u sociul group's col-
lcctivc rcscntmcnt. lt is u good rcllcction ol tlc sociul problcms tlut Clinu luccs
toduv. Two cuscs ol sociul riots urc unulvscd in tlis pupcr: tlc DD covcrcd tlc
Wunzlou Muss Riot on 2( 0ctobcr 2004. wlilc tlc SMD rcportcd tlc Clizlou
Muss Riot on 2 }unc und 1 }ulv 2005.
0n 1 0ctobcr 2004. tlc Wunzlou listrict ol Clongqing Citv witncsscd u
scrious muss incidcnt (unn ti xin sli iian) involving tlousunds ol protcstors.
9
Tlis
wus spurkcd bv tlc bcuting ol u pcusunt lubourcr bv two pcoplc. wlo cluimcd to
bc 'civil scrvicc olliciuls' (cn wn unan). Tlut duv. Hu 0uunzong und lis wilc.
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5POH1SFTTTFMGDFOTPSTIJQJO$IJOB ,
Zcng 0ingrong. wcrc wulking in tlc Sluungbui Roud in tlc Wunzlou listrict.
As tlcv pusscd Yu }ikui. u portcr (lian Jan) wlo lud comc into tlc citv to work.
Yu's currving polc struck Zcng bv uccidcnt. Tlis triggcrcd u licrcc urgumcnt und
blows bctwccn tlc two sidcs. und rcsultcd in un injurv to Yu. Hu cluimcd to bc
u civil scrvicc olliciul und suid tlut lc could usc lis moncv to lix unv possiblc
problcm. Hu's bcluviour und words cuuscd ungcr umongst bvstundcrs und lcd to
u lurgc-sculc riot. in wlicl policc curs wcrc burncd. protcstcrs surroundcd und
lootcd tlc Wunzlou listrict govcrnmcnt building. und u violcnt conlrontution
dcvclopcd bctwccn tlc riotcrs und tlc policc.
A similur cvcnt occurrcd in Clizlou Citv on 2( }unc 2005. A Hondu lit
u voung bicvclc pusscngcr. wlo wus u studcnt. Tlc drivcr und tlc tlrcc otlcr
pusscngcrs in tlc Hondu dcmundcd tlut tlc bov rcimbursc tlcm lor tlc dumugc
to tlc cur (somc scrutclcs). wlilc tlc bov wuntcd tlcm to tukc lim to lospitul.
Altcr ncgotiutions luilcd. tlc lour Hondu pusscngcrs bcut up und injurcd tlc
bov. cluiming tlut cvcn il tlc bov wcrc bcutcn to dcutl. tlcv could covcr it up
bv spcnding 300.000 RMB. Tlcir bcluviour und words triggcrcd ungcr in tlc
ncurbv crowds. lcuding to u muss incidcnt involving up to 10.000 pcoplc. Tlc
riot rcsultcd in tlc smusling up ol u policc stution. tlc looting ol u supcrmurkct.
tlc burning ol curs und injurics to tlc (urmcd) policc.
10
1he rcse c[ the cbcliticn c[ cnrestrcl temples
0n 2( April 200(. uround 1000 pcusunts lrom two cluns witl dillcrcnt sur-
numcs in }iungxi's Wunzui Countv wcrc involvcd in un uttcmptcd urmcd clusl.
0nc montl lutcr. tlc govcrnmcnt ol Wunzui Countv dccidcd to ubolisl ull
unccstrul tcmplcs in tlc provincc und quicklv trunslormcd tlcm into 'culturul
cntcrtuinmcnt ccntrcs' (wcnlna unlc lncJcn zlcnxin) or 'pcusunts' niglt
sclools' (ncnmin ucxiac). dccluring tlut tlc movc uimcd 'to uttuck clun luctions
und to construct un lurmonious Wunzui'. Conscqucntlv. ull unccstrul tcmplcs in
Wunzui Countv wcrc dissolvcd und countv rcsidcnts wcrc no longcr ublc to puv
tlcir rcspccts to tlcir unccstors. Tlc SMD publislcd u rcport on 1 Muv 200(.
Critircl Jisrcurse cnclvsis
Criticul discoursc unulvsis is uscd to unulvsc ncws discoursc. Tlc unulvsis is
buscd on tlc skctcl ol tlc cluructcrizution ol ncwspupcr discoursc witl u locus
on discursivc strutcgics or rlctoricul puttcrns tlut cmbodv potcntiul idcologicul
mcunings. Tlc rcusons lor tlis urc tlut journulistic dccisions inllucncc linguistic
cloiccs in ncws rcports on tlc onc lund. und tlc structurc und otlcr discursivc
cluructcristics ol ncws tcxt urc uscd bv journulists und otlcr ncws workcrs us
strutcgics to uclicvc tlcir prolcssionul purposc. on tlc otlcr. Tlis urticlc idcn-
tilics und unulvscs livc lcuturcs in tlc tcxt ol ncwspupcr rcports: (1) ncwspupcr
lcudlincs (cuptions) und lcuds: (2) topics und tlcir ordcring: (3) quotution
puttcrns (ncws sourccs): (4) lcxicul ugcncv: und (5) grummuticul ugcncv.
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8 %JTDPVSTF4PDJFUZ zo()
1he rcse c[ Wcnzhcu kict: rcnreclinq scricl rcn[lirts cnJ
rcnstrurtinq c pcsitive pclitircl stcnre
lxumining tlc originul rcport ol tlis cusc closclv. wc cun lind tlrcc truits in ncws
discoursc. lirst. tlc journulist rcvculs tlc sociul conllicts und clurilics tlut tlc
ncgutivc mood ol pcoplc towurd govcrnmcnt rcsults lrom sociul incquulitics und
luilurcs in govcrnuncc. Sccond. tlc journulist criticullv constructs u ncgutivc
imugc ol locul govcrnmcnt. Tlird. u clcur opposition bctwccn tlc lowcr cluss
und olliciuls is cstublislcd. Tlc mujor rcvisions mudc bv tlc DD ncwsroom urc:
concculing sociul conllicts: lcsscning politicul criticism: und modcruting tlc
opposition bctwccn govcrnmcnt und pcoplc.
Tlc originul rcport locuscs on tlc cuusc ol tlc riot. instcud ol tlc uction
itscll. Tlc rcport idcntilics tlc rcul triggcrs ol tlc riot bv dcscribing tlrcc stugcs
in tlc cvolution ol tlc conllict tlut lcd to tlc riot. Tlc tlrcc stcps urc: (1) dis-
putcs bctwccn tlc individuullv powcrlcss und individuullv powcrlul: (2) tlc
cvolution lrom tlc individuul disputc to tlc ungcr ol pusscrs-bv towurds tlc
individuullv powcrlul: und (3) tlc cvolution lrom ungcr ut individuuls to public
ungcr towurds tlc govcrnmcnt. linullv lcuding to muss riots. ligurc 1 slows
tlc conllict cvolution ol sociul riots ol tlis kind.
Tlc originul rcport indicutcs tlut tlc motivution ol tlc bvstundcrs wus
rcusonublc. bccuusc wlut tlcv wuntcd wus tlc punislmcnt ol tlosc wlo curricd
out tlc ussuult. Morc importuntlv. tlc riot wus uctuullv triggcrcd bv uccumulutcd
sociul conllicts und tlc ncgutivc mood ol pcoplc towurds tlc govcrnmcnt. An up-
purcntlv triviul disputc wus onlv tlc lluslpoint. lurtlcrmorc. tlc rcport pointcd
out tlut it wus not tlc lirst timc tlc govcrnmcnt lud uscd tlc policc lorcc to
l l CLRl 1. Tlrcc ccn[licts in tlc Vanzlcn anJ Clizlcn rict cvcnts
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5POH1SFTTTFMGDFOTPSTIJQJO$IJOB
supprcss tlc pcoplc. ln luct. tlc govcrnmcnt's urmcd supprcssion in u prcvious
cvcnt contributcd to tlis riot. According to un originul rcport. tlc invisiblc crisis
in socictv wus tlc muin rcuson lor tlc riot. ln tlis cxumplc und otlcrs. tlc DD
journulist's dcscriptions ol tlc violcnt policc uttucks on tlc citizcns. und tlc
locul govcrnmcnt's incllicicncv und corruption. cstublisl u ncgutivc imugc ol
tlc govcrnmcnt us 'Tlcm'.
Tlc journulist's originul rcport ulso crcutcs u clcur opposition bctwccn pcoplc
und govcrnmcnt tlrougl lcxicul ugcncv. lor cxumplc. lc uscd tlc word lianJan to
lubcl. und cvcn to substitutc lor. tlc portcr Yu }ikui und otlcr portcrs in tlc tcxt.
BianJan is u collcctivc uppcllution lor tlc occupution ol portcr in tlc Clongqing
diulcct. Tlc word rcprcscnts u group ol lowcr-cluss pcoplc wlo scll tlcir lubour
lor vcrv littlc moncv. Tlc tcrm lianJan is uscd botl to rclcr to Yu }ikui. und to
lubcl tlc riotcrs wlo uttuckcd tlc policc cur (scc lxumplc 1).
l XAMPl l 1. (nctaticn [rcm tlc DD icnrnalists criinal rcpcrt snlmittcJ tc tlc cJitcrs Jcsl
Tlc journulist ulso uscs unnzlcn (crowds or musscs) to rclcr to tlc riotcrs. Tlc
otlcr sidc. lowcvcr. is rclcrrcd to us 'olliciuls' (nanunan) or 'olliciul runks'. Tlc
Clincsc words unnzlcn und 'olliciul' slow tlc licrurclicul rclutions und lostilitv
in tlc cvcnt. Tlc word unnzlcn in u Clincsc contcxt lus tlc implicution tlut
pcoplc wlo urc lcd bv promincnt individuuls urc ol lowcr sociul stutus. und urc
'musscs' und 'mobs' witlout tlcir own idcus und rutionulitv (Zlong. 2005). ln
lxumplc 2. onc sidc in tlc conllict is 'tlc musscs' und tlc otlcr sidc compriscs
'olliciuls und policc'. Tlc licrurclv ol tlc ncws uctors cun bc sccn in tlc tcxt
ol tlc ncws rcport. Tlc uppcllution 'olliciul runks' slows tlc rcspcct ol tlc
journulist lor tlcsc ncws uctors. wlilc tlc tcrms unnzlcn und lianJan do
tlc oppositc.
l XAMPl l 2. On tlc lc[t is tlc unctaticn [rcm tlc DD icnrnalists criinal rcpcrt. snlmittcJ
tc tlc cJitcrs Jcsl. anJ cn tlc rilt is tlc unctaticn [rcm tlc pnllislcJ rcpcrt c[ tlc DD
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Tlc DD ncwsroom. lirst ol ull. lus concculcd sociul conllicts in tlc publislcd
rcport bv complctclv dclcting tlc purugrupl (murkcd in bold) tlc journulist uscd
to unulvsc tlc (rcul) sociul rcusons bclind tlc riot (scc lxumplc 3). lt docs not
mcntion tlc invisiblc crisis in socictv ut ull. wlicl in tlc journulist's originul
rcport wus tlc muin rcuson lor tlc riot. lt lcncc lcsscns tlc rutionulitv wlicl
tlc originul rcport guvc to tlc riotcrs. Tlc publislcd rcport in tlc DD tlcrclorc
mcrclv cxpluins tlc dircct rcuson lor tlc riot und dcpicts tlc two conllicts
(scc lxumplc 3). ln tlis wuv. tlc publislcd rcport is mucl sulcr politicullv tlun
tlc originul rcport und uvoids too mucl dcpurturc lrom tlc olliciul idcologv.
l XAMPl l 3. (nctaticn [rcm tlc Dalc Dailu icnrnalists criinal rcpcrt
Tlc DD ncwsroom lus ulso clungcd tlc imugc ol tlc govcrnmcnt lrom u ncgutivc
'Tlcm' to u positivc 'Ls' in tlc publislcd rcport bv dclcting tlc dcscription ol
policc violcncc und locul govcrnmcnt luilurc. Tlc publislcd rcport onlv dc-
scribcs tlc uction ol tlc protcstcrs. lt dclctcd tlc uction ol tlc policc in tlc
journulist's originul rcport. Tlc riotcrs wcrc dcscribcd us u mob tlut uttuckcd
und injurcd tlc policc. wlilc tlc policc wcrc tlc victims.
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lurtlcrmorc. tlc DD ncwsroom constructcd tlc 'corrcct' politicul position bv
linding cxcuscs lor tlc uutloritics. ln tlc DD. ultlougl dcscribing tlc tlrcc stugcs
ol conllict cvolution in tlc Wunzlou Riot. tlc publislcd rcport pointcd out in its
rcuding guidc (wlicl cllcctivclv lunctions us u lcud in u Clincsc ncwspupcr) und
tcxt tlut tlc riot originutcd lrom u misundcrstunding. Tlc ussuultcr wus uctuullv
not u rcul 'civil scrvicc olliciul'. lt implicd tlut tlc ungcr towurds tlc olliciul und
govcrnmcnt wus unncccssurv. us tlc ussuultcr wus not u rcul 'olliciul'.
Tlc opposition bctwccn 'musscs' und 'olliciuls' is ulso mitigutcd in tlc pub-
lislcd rcport. lor instuncc. in lxumplc 2. tlc clungc ol u word (in bold) is vcrv
intcrcsting. Tlc word 'olliciul' (nanunan) in tlc originul rcport is clungcd to
'govcrnmcnt stull ' (zlcn[n cnznc rcnunan) in tlc publislcd rcport. '0lliciul' is u
word connoting licrurclv. wlilc tlc words 'govcrnmcnt stull ' urc morc ncutrul.
witlout stutus implicution. ln dcscribing tlc loculitv ol tlc conllicts bctwccn
tlc riotcrs und tlc policc und olliciuls. tlc slilt lrom 'olliciuls' to 'govcrnmcnt
stull ' dcmonstrutcs tlc ncwsroom's intcntion to dull tlc prcscntution ol conllict
und opposition.
lurtlcrmorc. tlc intcntion to lcsscn tlc opposition bctwccn tlc undcr-
privilcgcd und tlc privilcgcd is prcscnt in tlc grummuticul ugcncv us wcll. ln
lxumplc 4. wc cun scc tlut tlc idcntitv ol 'civil scrvicc olliciul' is dclctcd lrom
tlc publislcd rcport. ln tlc originul rcport. tlc idcntitics ol 'biundun' und 'civil
scrvicc olliciul' urc clcurlv oppositcs. wlilc in tlc publislcd rcport. tlc pcoplc
wlo bcut up tlc 'biundun' urc invisiblc. Tlc Clincsc word zac in tlc originul
rcport ulso lus tlc mcuning ol svmputlv und surprisc. lt is clungcd in tlc pub-
lislcd rcport into lci. wlicl onlv slows tlc pussivc uction witlout unv cmotionul
mcunings.
l XAMPl l 4. Crammatical acncics analusis c[ a scntcncc in tlc icnrnalists criinal
rcpcrt (alcvc) anJ tlc pnllislcJ rcpcrt c[ tlc DD (lclcw)
1he rcse c[ the Chizhcu kict: implvinq scricl rcn[lirts cnJ
lesseninq pclitircl risls
Tlc originul rcport ol tlc Clizlou Riot lus similuritics witl tlc originul rcport
ol tlc Wunzlou Riot. Tlc SMD ncwsroom. lowcvcr. lus rcviscd it in u dillcrcnt
wuv. Tlc SMD ncwsroom lcsscns tlc politicul risks. but ulso kccps tlc muin
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tlcmcs ol tlc originul rcport. Tlut is. tlc ncwsroom lus uscd discursivc
strutcgics to implv sociul conllicts bctwccn tlc lincs. but cquullv to lcsscn tlc
politicul risks.
Similur to tlc journulists in tlc DD. tlc SMD journulist pointcd out tlc
mujor sociul rcusons lor tlc riot und tlc tlrcc stcps ol conllict cvolution. Tlc
originul rcport ulso rcprcscntcd un imugc ol u 'Tlcm' govcrnmcnt. Tlc con-
tcxtuul rcusons includc tlc ncgutivc mood ol Clizlou citizcns towurds olliciul
corruption. towurds possiblc collusion bctwccn busincss pcoplc und tlc citv's
govcrnor. towurds rupidlv climbing rcul cstutc priccs. und towurds tlc cunccllution
ol tlc busincss ol motor-cvclc tuxis
11
in Clizlou Citv. likc tlc originul rcport ol
tlc Wunzlou Riot. tlc locus on tlc cuuscs dclincd tlc Clizlou riot in u broudcr
sociul contcxt und tlcrclorc portruvcd tlc riotcrs' uctivitics us luving ccrtuin
rutionulitv.
ln tlc publislcd rcport. tlc ncwsroom uscd u discursivc strutcgv to mukc tlc
rcport politicullv sulcr. but it rctuins u clcurcr prcscntution ol sociul conllicts. Tlc
usc ol 'rumours' is onc promincnt discursivc strutcgv. wlicl lcsscns politicul
risks us wcll us implving criticism. lor cxumplc. public opinions ubout tlc cvcnt
in tlc originul rcport urc clussilicd in tlc publislcd rcport us 'rumours'. ln tlis
wuv. sociul conllicts. lor cxumplc compluints ubout tlc collusion bctwccn olliciuls
und busincssmcn. urc ublc to bc sulclv clurilicd.
lcspitc tlc rcport bcing politicullv sulcr. tlc tlcmc ol sociul crisis is cvcn
morc promincnt tlun in tlc originul rcport. Lnlikc tlc DD's publislcd rcport
ol tlc Wunzlou Riot. tlc publislcd rcport in tlc SMD strcngtlcns. instcud ol
wcukcning. tlc cuuscs ol tlc Clizlou Riot und rctuins tlc tlrcc stugcs ol tlc
conllict. Tlc publislcd rcport is cvcn morc locuscd on tlc rcusons lor tlc cvolu-
tion ol tlc cvcnt. lt listcd tlc ligl-lcvcl und low-lcvcl tlcmcs us lollows:
1. A normul 'cur-lits-pusscngcr' trullic disputc in Clizlou. Anlui Provincc.
cvolvcd into u muss incidcnt tlut involvcd liglts. smusling. looting und
urson.
2. Rumours circulutcd bv troublcmukcrs. ungcr ut bud trcutmcnt und so on
contributcd to tlc csculution ol tlc incidcnt.
3. Wlut Wu suid unnovcd tlc crowds.
4. Bvstundcrs bclicvcd tlut tlc studcnt wus bcutcn to dcutl.
5. Pcoplc tlouglt tlc policc covcrcd up lor tlc ussuilunts. wlo wcrc prom-
incnt busincss pcoplc lrom unotlcr provincc. Tlcv wcrc lutcd bv tlc pcoplc
ol Clizlou Citv bccuusc tlcv wcrc bclicvcd to luvc colludcd witl tlc CCP
Sccrcturv ol tlc citv.
Rcuding bctwccn tlc lincs. tlc publislcd rcport in tlc SMD inlorms its rcudcrs
tlut tlc riot originutcd lrom vurious sociul issucs und tlut tlc riotcrs wcrc not u
mob. ln otlcr words. bv spcuking ol rumours und public opinion. tlc ncwsroom
implics tlut wlut wus bclind tlc riot. und wlut rcullv triggcrcd it. wcrc tlc
conllicts. misundcrstundings und ncgutivc moods ol tlc pcoplc in Clizlou Citv
towurds tlc uutloritics. tlc policc. tlc olliciuls und tlc ricl. ln tlis wuv. tlc SMD
ncwsroom munugcd to rctuin tlc csscncc ol tlc originul rcport in tlc publislcd
rcport bv using tlc subtcrlugc 'rumours'.
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But tlc SMD ncwsroom ulso tricd to mukc tlc storv politicullv sulcr bv
uttributing u positivc politicul stuncc to tlc uutloritv. ln tlc lcud. uddcd in tlc
cditoriul proccss. tlc SMD clurilicd tlut tlc purposc ol tlc rcport wus to ollcr
constructivc suggcstions to tlc uutloritv instcud ol criticizing tlc uutloritv. Tlc
lcud protccts tlc rcport bv prcscnting it us un cxumplc ol tlc problcms lucing
tlc govcrnmcnt. Tlc publislcd rcport supports tlc govcrnmcnt's cllorts in u
lricndlv wuv rutlcr tlun muking troublc or criticizing. Tlcrclorc. tlc ncwsroom
constructs u positivc politicul stuncc lor tlc rcport bv cluiming to providc
constructivc suggcstions lor tlc uutloritics.
1he rcse c[ the cbcliticn c[ the cnrestrcl temple: mcJi[vinq
pclitircl rritirism cnJ emplcvinq c[[iricl Jisrcurse
Tlc originul rcport ol tlis cusc is dillcrcnt to tlc otlcr two cuscs. Hcrc. tlc
journulist dircctlv und stronglv criticizcd tlc bcluviour ol locul govcrnmcnt.
Compuring curclullv tlc two vcrsions ol rcports on tlc unccstrul tcmplc cusc.
wc lind tlut tlc SMD ncwsroom lus modilicd politicul criticism in tlc publislcd
rcport bv dclcting discoursc witl obvious politicul risks. wlilc kccping mildcr
politicul criticism in tlc rcport bv cmploving olliciul discoursc.
Tlis cusc is ubout locul govcrnmcnt's rcsponsc to u rcccnt clun clusl. ln tlc
originul rcport. tlc journulist stronglv criticizcd tlc uctivitics und policics ol
locul govcrnmcnt bv using ironic tcrms und quoting ncws sourccs. lor cxumplc.
tlc journulist dcscribcd govcrnmcntul uctivitics in lxumplc 5 ut tlc bcginning
ol tlc rcport. Hc uscd unnJcn (tlc movcmcnt) to rclcr ironicullv to govcrnmcnt
bcluviour. 'Yundong' is normullv uscd lor sociul und politicul movcmcnts tlut
luvc signilicunt. usuullv ncgutivc. rcsults. c.g. 'wcngc vundong' (tlc Culturul
Rcvolution movcmcnt) und 'po sijiu vundong' (tlc Abolisl lour 0lds movcmcnt).
Anotlcr ironic plrusc: 'zui vuzlongbutong dc vungbcn' (tlc mcst cxtracrJinaru
samplc) uscd in tlc lollowing scntcncc lurtlcr dcmonstrutcs low tlc rcportcr
sutirizcs locul govcrnmcnt.
l XAMPl l 5. (nctaticn [rcm tlc SMl icnrnalists criinal rcpcrt
As un cclo to tlc ironic numc 'Yundong' ut tlc bcginning ol tlc urticlc. tlc
journulist citcd un old villugcr's commcnts on tlc 'Yundong' in tlc lollowing
purugrupls (scc lxumplc (). ln tlc quotution. tlc old villugcr compurcd tlc locul
govcrnmcnt's bcluviour to tlc 'Culturul Rcvolution'. wlicl wus truumutic lor
Clinu. lurtlcrmorc. tlc rcportcr strcngtlcncd tlc criticism bv using quotutions
lrom villugcrs to slow tlut tlcv vicwcd tlc govcrnmcnt us dcstructivc. Tlc ncws
sourccs und stutcmcnts in tlc quotutions listcd in Tublc 1 slow tlc uttitudcs ol
villugcrs towurd tlc govcrnmcnt's bcluviour. lrom tlc propositions. onc cun scc
tlut tlc rcport totullv disugrccd witl tlc govcrnmcnt's bcluviour.
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l XAMPl l (. (nctaticn [rcm tlc SMl icnrnalists criinal rcpcrt
lurtlcrmorc. tlrougl quoting villugcrs. olliciuls und ucudcmics. tlc originul
rcport clcurlv slows tlut tlc villugcrs luvour cluns bccuusc ol locul conllicts
bctwccn pcoplc und govcrnmcnt und populur conccrn ubout locul govcrnmcnt
luilurcs. lor cxumplc locul corruption. ln lxumplc 7 und lxumplc . tlc journulist
quotcd botl tlc commcnts ol un olliciul on tlc rcvivul ol cluns und villugcrs'
vicwpoints. dcmonstruting tlc positivc lunction ol cluns in supcrvising locul
govcrnmcnt wrongdoing.
l XAMPl l 7. (nctaticn [rcm tlc SMl icnrnalists criinal rcpcrt
TABl l 1. Ncws scnrccs anJ unctaticns in tlc criinal rcpcrt
Ncws scnrccs Prcpcsiticns in unctaticns
Villugcrs witl tlc long surnumc Policc dcstrovcd cvcrvtling insidc tlc unccstrul
tcmplc. cxccpt tlc couplct lung on tlc columns
ol u lull. wlicl wus rcgurdcd us u culturul rclic.
Villugcrs witl tlc long surnumc A lot ol pcoplc disugrccd witl tlc govcrnmcnt.
Villugcrs witl tlc long surnumc Tlcv lclt insultcd und could not undcrstund
govcrnmcnt uctivitics.
Clicl ol Cuo clun '0ur unccstrul tcmplc wus dug up und pullcd
down!' Tlcv wcrc lull ol rcscntmcnt.
An old mun in tlc Xin clun Tlc govcrnmcnt wus dcstroving tlc tcmplc.
Wlv did tlc govcrnmcnt do tlis. Now is not tlc
Culturul Rcvolution.
A lot ol villugcrs Wlut tlc Wunzui Countv govcrnmcnt did
rcmindcd tlcm ol tlc movcmcnt 40 vcurs ugo.
tlut sturtcd witl 'Abolisl lour-0lds' (po sijiu).
Villugcs ol tlc Zlung clun Tlc govcrnmcnt uctivitv brokc tlc luw.
A lot ol villugcrs ol tlc
long clun
Tlc govcrnmcnt's uctivitics cuuscd public ungcr
und slurpcncd conllicts bctwccn govcrnmcnt und
tlc musscs. Tlcv will soon uppcul to Bcijing lor lclp.
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l XAMPl l . (nctaticn [rcm tlc SMl icnrnalists criinal rcpcrt
lurtlcrmorc. tlc journulist mudc pcrsonul commcnts us lollows:
(1) 'lt sccms tlut tlc locul CCP Committcc und govcrnmcnt wcnt too lur witl tlis policv.'
(2) 'So lur it lus bccn dillicult to scc low mucl tlc tukc-ovcr ol unccstrul tcmplcs cun
clungc tlc villugcrs' uttitudc und improvc locul govcrnmcnt.'
lrom tlcsc quotutions. discussion und commcnts. wc cun scc tlut tlc journulist
in luct wrotc tlc rcport lrom tlc position ol tlc pcoplc instcud ol tlc govcrnmcnt
olliciuls. Hc blumcd tlc govcrnmcnt's stupid uctivitics und urgucd tlut tlc olliciul
mcusurcs would incvitublv lcud to slurpcr conllicts bctwccn tlc govcrnmcnt
und tlc pcoplc.
Tlc SMD ncwsroom modilicd tlc strong politicul criticism towurd locul
govcrnmcnt bv dclcting problcmutic scntcnccs. Tlc lditor-in-Clicl dclctcd u lot ol
words und purugrupls. wlicl lc rcgurdcd us bcing politicullv dungcrous in ordcr
to mukc tlc rcport sulcr. 0n closc cxuminution ol tlc dclctions und rcvisions.
onc linds tlut tlc lditor-in-Clicl dclctcd scntcnccs und purugrupls rcluting to
intru-govcrnmcntul covcr-ups. govcrnmcnt trcutmcnt ol villugcrs. tlc positivc
lunctions ol cluns. tlc public ungcr ol tlc villugcrs involvcd und tlc commcnts
ol journulists. lxumplcs (. 7und urc tlrcc instunccs ol tlcsc modilicutions.
Tlc scntcnccs in bold luvc bccn dclctcd in tlc scll-ccnsoring proccss.
Tlc intcntion to modilv politicul criticism is ulso rcllcctcd in tlc liglt ovcr
tlc lcudlinc bctwccn tlc journulist. tlc dcsk cditor und tlc lditor-in-Clicl.
lxumining tlc dillcrcnt vcrsions ol tlc lcudlinc in ligurc 2. wc cun scc tlut tlc
lditor-in-Clicl would likc to cloosc u politicullv sulc lcudlinc tlut will not uttruct
tlc uttcntion ol tlc rclcvunt propugundu dcpurtmcnts.
lxumining tlc dillcrcnt vcrsions ol tlc lcudlinc closclv. onc cun scc tlc dil-
lcrcnt idcologics und intcntions bclind tlcm. Tlc lirst vcrsion is tlc onc on tlc
originul rcport submittcd to tlc lditor-in-Clicl. lt dcscribcs tlc govcrnmcnt's
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uctivitics und cxpluins tlc cuusc ol tlc cvcnt. dclining tlc cvcnt us bcing 'unotlcr
strungc sumplc ol ncw countrvsidc construction'' in tlc sub-lcudlinc. Tlc word
linlci (unotlcr strungc sumplc). uscd lcrc. mcuns tlut tlings urc vcrv strungc
und dillcrcnt to customurv und normul tlings. lt slows tlut tlc rcportcr docs
not ugrcc witl tlc govcrnmcnt und cvcn rcgurds tlc udministrutivc ordcr us
ridiculous. und u listoricul rctrovcrsion.
Tlc lditor-in-Clicl. lowcvcr. dclctcd tlc sub-lcudlinc in tlc lirst rcviscd
vcrsion. lt is dillicult to judgc tlc intcntion ol tlc rcport lrom tlis vcrsion. Wlcn
tlc rcport wus submittcd to tlc lditor. lc clungcd tlc lditor-in-Clicl 's ncutrul
lcudlinc into Vlc TcnclcJ Onr Anccstcrs. Hc bclicvcd tlut sucl u lcudlinc could
still slow tlc public's indignution und ungcr. But tlc on-dutv lditor-in-Clicl
tlcn clungcd it to 'All Anccstral Tcmplcs in tlc Ccnntu Lcst'. Tlc lditor ucccptcd
it. bccuusc lc tlouglt tlc titlc still slowcd tlc mcuning lrom tlc pcoplc's
point ol vicw.
Tlc on-dutv lditor-in-Clicl. lowcvcr. rculizcd tlc unglc. disugrccd witl tlc
position ol tlc lcudlinc. und bclicvcd tlc titlc slould bc lrom tlc govcrnmcnt's
stundpoint. As u rcsult. tlc lcudlinc wus clungcd to Clcan np All Ccnntu Anccstral
Tcmplcs tc Malc Snrc c[ Sccial Stalilizaticn. Tlc lditor rcgurdcd tlis us linc. bc-
cuusc tlc logic in tlc lcudlinc wus ridiculous. und it ridiculcd. und to u ccrtuin
dcgrcc sutirizcd. tlc govcrnmcnt's uctivitics. but tlc lcudlinc wus soon clungcd
uguin to Clan ArmcJ Clasl CanscJ tlc Clcan-np c[ Anccstral Tcmplcs.
l l CLRl 2. Rcvisicns c[ tlc lcaJlinc in tlc cJitcrial prcccss
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Altlougl not on dutv. tlc lditor-in-Clicl kcpt ploning tlc on-dutv lditor-
in-Clicl. Tlc luttcr wus uskcd to rcud tlc lcudlinc to tlc lormcr. wlo guvc
instructions ol wlut tlc lcudlinc slould bc. Around livc minutcs bclorc tlc
dcudlinc lor tlc submission ol ncwspupcr pugcs. tlc lcudlinc wus linullv clungcd
to tlc publislcd lcudlinc. wlicl is dull und in olliciul discoursc.
Tlc SMD ncwsroom modilics tlc lcvcl ol politicul criticism in tlc rcport.
But tlc publislcd rcport still rctuins mild politicul criticism. ln lxumplc . tlc
scntcnccs in bold luvc bccn dclctcd bv tlc SMD ncwsroom. But tlc ncwsroom
kcpt wlut Yu Yungqing. un olliciul. suid. Tlc rcmuining quotution criticizcs
tlc locul govcrnuncc. Anotlcr cxumplc is tlut tlc qucstions und ncgutivc
uttitudcs ol tlc villugcrs towurd locul govcrnmcnt bcluviour listcd in Tublc 1
luvc bccn rctuincd in tlc publislcd rcport. Altcr scll-ccnsorslip. politicul
criticism in tlc publislcd rcport lus bccn rctuincd bv muintuining ncutrulitv
und cmploving olliciul discourscs or tlird-pcrson quotutions. Tlc journulist's
subjcctivc commcnts luvc bccn dclctcd. All opinions urc cxprcsscd bv villugcrs
und olliciuls.
Tlis discursivc strutcgv ol cmploving olliciul discoursc wus ulso uscd bv tlc
lditor in tlc cditoriul commcnts: lc mudc u rclcrcncc to tlc olliciul documcnt:
Dccisicn c[ Ccntral Ccvcrnmcnt tc Strcntlcn tlc Ccvcrnancc Capalilitu c[ tlc CCP
(zlcnuan nanun iiauian Jan zlizlcn ncnli iianslc Jc incui) to buck up lis
criticism.
Tlc lditor rcgurdcd tlc ubolition ol tlc tcmplcs us u svmbol ol tlc luilurc
ol locul govcrnmcnt. Tlc muss incidcnt could luvc bccn solvcd bv ncgotiution.
instcud ol tlc urbitrurv udministrutivc mctlods uscd bv tlc govcrnmcnt. Tlc
govcrnmcnt's ordcr to ubolisl tlc unccstrul tcmplcs wus quitc likc tlc mctlods
populur during tlc Culturul Rcvolution cru to 'ubolisl tlc lour 0lds' (pcsiiin). lt
wus ridiculous und ironicul tlut tlis policv wus prcscntcd us Ncw Countrvsidc
Construction (xin ncncnn iianslc). But tlc rcport could not cxprcss tlis
dircctlv und lud to lollow tlc mujor propugundu tlcmcs ol Ncw Countrvsidc
Construction und Hurmonious Socictv Construction. So tlc lditor pointcd out
in u sutiricul wuv tlut tlc locul govcrnmcnt lud put tlc ubolition undcr Ncw
Countrvsidc Construction. ln ordcr to slow tlis ironicul mcuning. lc dclibcrutclv
pickcd u picturc to cxprcss it (scc Picturc 1). ln tlc picturc. wc cun scc u slogun
'Conducting tlc Advunccd lducution Activitics ol tlc CCP to lmprovc Sociulist
Ncw Countrvsidc Construction' on tlc bunncr.
CcnrluJinq remcrls: press sel[-renscrship cs c bclcnre c[ pcwer
Tlc mcdiu luvc bccn rcgurdcd us pluving un csscntiul rolc in constructing un
imugc ol u lurmonious und conscnsuul socictv bv concculing sociul conllict. cvcn
in Wcstcrn socictics (Hull. 1977: Currun. 2000). Tlc mcdiu lus ulso bccn sccn
us supporting tlc cxisting powcr structurc. tlc sociul ordcr und clitc lcgcmonv
(lowning. 190). Civcn tlut tlc purtv linc lorccs tlc Clincsc mcdiu to support
tlc govcrnmcnts' policics und polisl up tlc imugc ol tlc Purtv. Clincsc mcdiu
slould dclinitclv trv to conccul sociul conllicts und contributc to tlc muin-
tcnuncc ol cxisting sociul ordcr.
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Wlut wc lound is tlut in cucl ol tlcsc cuscs. rutlcr tlun concculing tlcm.
ull tlrcc journulists rcvculcd dccp sociul conllicts und clurilicd tlc ncgutivc mood
ol tlc pcoplc towurd govcrnmcnt us u rcsult ol sociul incquulitics und govcrn-
mcntul luilurcs in tlcir rcports submittcd to tlc cditor's dcsk. Tlcv criticizcd tlc
svstcmutic problcms witlin Clincsc socictv us wcll us tlc locul lcudcrslip. Tlcv
criticizcd tlc ovcr-cmplusis on cconomic dcvclopmcnt in Clincsc modcrnizution
tlut lus lcd to tlc morul collupsc ol tlc ricl und tlc loss ol pcoplc's conlidcncc
in tlcir govcrnors. Tlcv ulso criticizc tlc olliciul-cupitul colluborution. locul cor-
ruption und tlc luilurc ol locul govcrnmcnt.
Tlis ncw tvpc ol journulism tcnds morc to rcprcscnt tlc voicc ol tlc undcr-
privilcgcd sociul groups und dcpict tlc wlolc ol tlc cvcnts. instcud ol broud-
custing tlc govcrnmcnt's voicc und lollowing tlc olliciul uccount. }ournulists ol
tlis kind luvc u clcur undcrstunding ol sociul rculitv. As u rcsponsc to Clincsc
rculitv. tlcsc journulists luvc u willingncss to tcll tlc trutl und tlcv urc trving
to lullil prolcssionul idculs. Tlcv position tlcmsclvcs us opponcnts ol uutloritv.
stunding out und spcuking lor tlc pcoplc. Tlcv urc conccrncd witl tlc public
intcrcst und tlcir prolcssionul vulucs instcud ol politicul sulctv. }ournulists lcuvc
tlc luttcr to ncwsrooms. lnstunccs ol scll-ccnsorslip urc rurc ut tlc lcvcl ol tlc
individuul journulist.
luccd witl tlis ncw journulistic pructicc. lowcvcr. ncwsrooms cunnot lct
rcports likc tlcsc bc publislcd. us tlc topic ol sociul problcms is ligllv politicullv
scnsitivc. Sociul problcms. onc ol wlicl is sociul incquulitics. luvc incvitublv
uppcurcd in tlc Clincsc cconomic rclorm proccss ulongsidc rupid cconomic
growtl (Wu. 2004: Wung ct ul.. 200(). Tlcsc issucs lcncc put tlc Clincsc
Pl CTLRl 1. Tlc pictnrc witl a slcan. 'CcnJnctin AJvanccJ LJncaticn Activitics c[ tlc
CCP tc |mprcvc Sccialist Ncw CcnntrusiJc Ccnstrncticn cn tlc lanncr
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mcdiu in u dilcmmu. 0n tlc onc lund. tlc lowcr clusscs strugglc to voicc tlcir
gricvunccs und compluints. cvcn bv wuv ol u protcst (Sluc und Wong. 2007). A
ncw gcnrc ol journulists lus puid uttcntion to tlcsc lowcr-cluss voiccs. 0n tlc
otlcr lund. tlc topics urc politicul mincliclds. Toucling onc cun cusilv lcud to
politicul cruckdown on ncws mcdiu. luilurc to givc voicc to tlc pcoplc could lcud
to journulists und tlc public losing trust in tlc mcdiu. wlilc unv impropcr up-
proucl to tlcsc topics muv rcsult in politicul truumu to tlc mcdiu. Ncwsrooms
nccd tuctics lor lundling tlcsc problcms. Scll-ccnsorslip lits tlc nccd.
lrom tlc cditing proccss. onc cun clcurlv scc tlc strugglc in tlc ncwsroom
ovcr discoursc riglts. Tlc strugglcs urc not buscd on purclv cditoriul conccrns.
c.g. grummur und lcxicul corrcctions. or improvcmcnts. or cutting purugrupls
to lit tlc uvuilublc spucc. Tlcv urisc lrom scll-ccnsorslip conccrns ovcr pol-
iticul sulctv.
Scll-ccnsorslip is un cllicicnt wuv lor ncwspupcr orgunizutions to dcul witl
tlc clusl bctwccn tlcir intcrcsts und tlosc ol tlc intcrcsts ol journulists und tlc
public. Tlc scll-ccnsorslip in Clincsc ncwsrooms nowuduvs is not u strict 'No'
policv. lnstcud. it lclps muximizc tlc possibilitv ol gctting rcports publislcd ut
tlc sumc timc us minimizing politicul risks. Ncwsrooms do not ubsolutclv rclusc
rcports on ligllv politicullv scnsitivc topics. Witl grcutcr conccrns ovcr pol-
iticul sulctv. ncwspupcr orgunizutions uct us gutckccpcrs viu scll-ccnsorslip.
tlus uvoiding potcntiul politicul risks cuuscd bv tlc violutions ol propugundu
tuboos in journulists' rcports.
lxumining wlut is includcd in tlc originul rcports but cxcludcd in publislcd
rcports. wc cun scc tlut ligl-runking mcdiu pructitioncrs mukc cvcrv cllort to
lcsscn tlc politicul risks und to cnsurc tlc sulc politicul cluructcr ol tlc rcport.
Altlougl botl ncwsrooms luvc switclcd tlc tonc ol tlc rcports und constructcd
u positivc politicul stuncc. displuving tlc sumc conccrn lor tlc politicul risks ol
covcring sociul problcms. wc cun ulso scc tlut tlc two ncwsrooms luvc uscd
dillcrcnt strutcgics to uclicvc tlcir uim. Tlc DD slilts tlc tonc ol tlc originul
rcport und kccps morc in congrucncc witl tlc olliciul rcport. Howcvcr. tlc SMD
kccps tlc mujor mcunings ol tlc originul rcport. but mukcs it sulcr to prcscnt
tlc storv bv using liddcn scripts und discoursc strutcgics. Bcsidcs uttributing
inlormution to rumours und providing constructivc suggcstions lor govcrn-
mcnt policv. tlc SMD ncwsroom ulso utilizcs olliciul discoursc und quotutions
to currv tlc rcul mcuning ol tlcir rcports. Tlcsc pructiccs urc colcrcnt witl
wlut tlc uutlor obscrvcd in tlc two ncwsrooms und lrom intcrvicws. lrom tlis
stundpoint. onc cun scc tlc importuncc ol orgunizutionul luctors in journulistic
pructiccs. Morc conscrvutivc mcdiu orgunizutions limit tlc rculizution ol libcrul
journulistic pructiccs. wlilc morc libcrul ncwspupcrs lclp tlc lullilmcnt ol jour-
nulistic prolcssionulism und so lclp spcuk lor tlc intcrcsts ol tlc pcoplc und tlc
undcrprivilcgcd. Tlc cxprcssion ol tlc intcrcsts ol undcrprivilcgcd sociul groups.
lowcvcr. is covcrt und circuitous instcud ol bcing struigltlorwurd und opcn.
Tlc proccss ol scll-ccnsorslip rcllccts tlc clusl bctwccn tlc privutc und
public intcrcsts ol tlc orgunizution. To publisl u rcport is to tukc uccount ol
tlc journulist's und lditor's dcsirc to pructisc prolcssionul journulism und to
muintuin public intcrcst. Mcunwlilc. tlc lditor-in-Clicl 's cllorts to lind u sulcr
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lcudlinc und sulcr lorms ol cxprcssions urc uimcd ut minimizing possiblc pol-
iticul risks und prioritizing privutc intcrcsts. Tlc rcuson lor tlcsc dillcrcnccs
is tlut it is u ncccssurv conccrn ol ncwspupcrs to tukc uccount ol tlc nccds ol
otlcr sociul lorccs rutlcr tlun mcrclv tlosc ol politicul uutloritv. Tlc dcgrcc ol
modilicution. lowcvcr. dcpcnds on tlc ovcrull positions ol dillcrcnt ncwspupcrs.
Ncwspupcrs likc tlc SMD. witl u morc libcrul politicul stuncc. rcspcct tlcir
journulists' work morc und urc morc likclv to kccp tlc csscncc ol tlc originul
rcports. wlilc ncwspupcrs likc tlc DD. giving prioritv to politicul sulctv. urc
kccn to stuv congrucnt witl uutloritv. Tlcv givc lcss uutonomv to journulists
und nurrow tlc scopc lor journulists' cxprcssion. wlicl tlcv ussumc is to spcuk
lor undcrprivilcgcd pcoplc. Tlis is un orgunizutionul uttcmpt to kccp u buluncc
bctwccn public und privutc intcrcsts. linding u wuv not to surrcndcr totullv
to politicul prcssurcs dcmonstrutcs u strutcgic countcr-uttuck bv tlc mcdiu
uguinst politicul ccnsorslip. wlicl cun bc dcscribcd in tcrms ol Crumsci's 'wur
ol position'.
NO1L S
1. Tlunks go to tlc Scntlcrn Mctrcpclitan Dailu und tlc Dalc Dailu. Spcciul tlunks to
ull tlc journulists. wlosc numcs luvc bccn dclctcd lcrc in ordcr to protcct tlcm.
Tlunks to tlc rcvicwcrs lor tlcir vuluublc commcnts. Tlc uutlor ulso mucl
upprcciutcs Prolcssor Colin Spurks' vuluublc commcnts und polisling ol tlc
lunguugc. Nonc ol tlc ubovc cun bc lcld rcsponsiblc lor unv ol tlc vicwpoints
cxprcsscd in tlis urticlc. Tlunks ulso go to lr Murinu Svcnsson und tlc Lnivcrsitv
ol lund lor ollcring mc u visiting sclolurslip. wlicl guvc mc tlc timc to linisl
tlis urticlc.
2. Bcsidcs criticul discoursc unulvsis. tlis urticlc is ulso buscd on in-dcptl intcrvicws
witl 71 journulists conductcd in six citics ovcr u pcriod ol timc bctwccn 2004
und 2007 und tlc six-montl purticipunt obscrvution in tlc two ncwspupcr
ncwsrooms.
3. According to intcrvicws.
4. ln }unuurv 200. lundrcds ol Slunglui citizcns. worricd tlut it would cuusc cnvir-
onmcntul problcms. protcstcd uguinst u plunncd cxtcnsion ol tlc citv's muglcv ruil.
5. A quusi-sociul group rclcrs to u group orgunizcd tcmporurilv und pcrlups un-
consciouslv. bv u group ol pcoplc witl tlc sumc intcrcsts during u pcriod ol timc.
Tlc rclutionslip umong tlcsc pcoplc is llcxiblc und tlc groups cunnot bc rcgurdcd
us lixcd. or cullcd clusscs sucl us 'working clusscs'. lor cxumplc. in tlc Xiumcn XP
projcct cusc. tlc citizcns in u citv tlut lucc un cnvironmcntul crisis bccuusc ol tlc
luuncl ol u clcmicul luctorv cun bc rcgurdcd us u quusi-sociul group wlo posit
un intcrcst cump und opposc tlc govcrnmcnt's dccision to luuncl tlc luctorv. Tlc
group will no longcr cxist wlcn tlc govcrnmcnt cunccl tlc dccision und tlc cnviron-
mcntul crisis lus pusscd.
(. An olliciul wuv to clussilv Clincsc ncwspupcrs is uccording to tlcir udministrutivc
lcvcls. i.c. ccntrul. provinciul und citv.
7. As cvuluutcd bv Asiu Cuscs 2004. ucccsscd in Novcmbcr 2005 und uvuilublc ut
www.cpj.orglcuscs04lusiu_cuscs04lclinu.ltml
. ln 2003. wlcn nutionul und locul govcrnmcnts in Clinu covcrcd up tlc trutl ol tlc
SARS cpidcmic. Scntlcrn Mctrcpclitan Dailu curricd rcports qucstioning tlc lics in
olliciul mcdiu covcrugc und drcw botl lorcign und domcstic uttcntion to tlc crisis.
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5POH1SFTTTFMGDFOTPSTIJQJO$IJOB 6::
9. Tlc numbcr ol protcstcrs involvcd in tlc riot dillcrs lrom mcdiu to mcdiu. Tlc
domcstic mcdiu cluim tlc riot involvcd tlousunds ol pcoplc. wlilc intcrnutionul
mcdiu bclicvc 10s ol tlousunds ol pcoplc took purt in tlc protcst.
10. A summurv buscd on rcports in scvcrul mcdiu. c.g. Agcncc lruncc Prcssc. Clobul
lnsiglt luilv Anulvsis. Ncwslilc. Rcutcrs Ncws (ucccsscd 17 April 2007 viu tlc
luctivu dutubusc).
11. A lot ol luid-oll workcrs und pcusunt lubourcrs work us motor-cvclc tuxi drivcrs to
curn u living. Howcvcr. u lot ol citics in Clinu luvc prolibitcd tuxis ol tlis kind.
Tlc govcrnmcntul dccision. in luct. mudc tlosc tuxi drivcrs joblcss.
k L l L k L NC L S
Abcls. S. (2005) 'Stutc vs Murkct: Mcdiu in Trunsition'. ||AS Ncwslcttcr 37: 10.
Clun. }.M. und 0iu. }.l. (2002) 'Clinu: Mcdiu libcrulizution Lndcr Autlorituriunism'. in
M.l. Pricc. B. Rozumilowicz und S.C. Vcrlulst (cds) McJia Rc[crm. Dcmccratizin tlc
McJia. Dcmccratizin tlc Statc. pp. 274(. london und Ncw York: Routlcdgc
Clun. M.}. (1993) 'Commcrciulizution witlout lndcpcndcncc: Trcnds und Tcnsions ol
Mcdiu lcvclopmcnt in Clinu'. Clina Rcvicw. Hong Kong: Clincsc Lnivcrsitv Prcss.
Collings. A. (2002) 'Book Rcvicws'. |cnrnalism 3(3): 3731.
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lowning. }. (190) Tlc McJia Maclinc. london: Pluto.
luirclougl. N. (199) Lannac anJ Pcwcr. london: longmun.
lrccdom ol Housc (200) lrccdom ol tlc Prcss. ucccsscd on 15 August 2009 ut:
www.lrccdomlousc.orgltcmplutc.clm.pugc=251&countrv=7372&vcur=200
Crumsci. A. (19) A Cramsci RcaJcr. london: luwrcncc und Wislurt.
Hull. S. (1977) 'Culturc. tlc Mcdiu und tlc ldcologicul lllcct''. in }. Currun. M. Curcvitcl
und }. Woollucott (cds) Mass Ccmmnnicaticn anJ Sccictu. pp. 3154. london:
ldwurd Arnold.
Hcrbcrt. }. (2001) Practisin Clclal |cnrnalism. Lxplcrin Rcpcrtin |ssncs VcrlJwiJc. 0xlord:
locul Prcss.
}iu. Y. (200() 'Tlc Appcuruncc ol Public 0pinion Monitoring in Clinu' (unlnn zli[cn cln
lianiian). Scntlcrn Mctrcpclis Dailu. Spcciul lssuc ol Tcn-vcur lcvclopmcnt ol Soutlcrn
Mctropolis luilv. 30 lcccmbcr. p. .
lu. X. (2004) Sccial Mclilitu in Ccntcmpcraru Clina (JanJai zlcnnc slclni linJcn).
Bcijing: Sociul Scicncc Publislcr (slclni lcxnc wcnxian clnlanslc).
Misru. K. (2003) 'Nco-lclt und Nco-Riglt in Post-Tiununmcn Clinu'. Asian Snrvcu 43(5):
71744.
Sluc. V. und Wong. C. (cds) (2007) Pauin [cr Prcrcss in Clina. Pnllic Financc. Hnman
Vcl[arc anJ Clanin Pattcrns c[ |ncunalitu. london und Ncw York: Routlcdgc.
Tong. }. (2007) 'Cucrrillu Tuctics ol lnvcstigutivc }ournulists in Clinu'. |cnrnalism (5):
5305.
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StnJics 10(3).
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in K.B. }cnson und N.W. }unkowski (cds) A HanJlccl c[ (nalitativc MctlcJclcics [cr
Mass Ccmmnnicaticn Rcscarcl. london: Routlcdgc.
Wung. l.. Tsui-o. T. und Wung. Y. (200() 'A lccudc ol Rising Povcrtv in Lrbun Clinu: Wlo
Arc Morc likclv to lull Lndcr.' Tlc cSclolurslip Rcpositorv. Lnivcrsitv ol Culilorniu.
Wung. H. (2003) Clinas Ncw OrJcr. Sccictu. Pclitics. anJ Lccncmu in Transiticn. Cumbridgc.
MA und london: Tlc Prcsidcnt und lcllows ol Hurvurd Collcgc.
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Wu. l. (2004) 'Lrbun Povcrtv und Murginulizution Lndcr Murkct Trunsition: Tlc Cusc ol
Clincsc Citics'. |ntcrnaticnal |cnrnal c[ Urlan anJ Rcicnal Rcscarcl 2(2): 40123.
Wu. C. (2000) '0nc Hcud. Munv Moutls: livcrsilving Prcss Structurcs in Rclorm Clinu'.
in C.-C. lcc (cd.) Mcncu. Pcwcr anJ McJia. Ccmmnnicaticn Pattcrns in Cnltnral Clina.
lvunston. ll: Nortlwcst Lnivcrsitv Prcss.
Zluo. Y. (199) McJia. Marlct. anJ Dcmccracu in Clina. Bctwccn tlc Partu Linc anJ tlc
Bcttcm Linc. Lrbunu und Clicugo. ll: Lnivcrsitv ol lllinois Prcss.
Zlcng. Y.. Wung. Z. und lvc. l.l. (2005) Clina Pclitical Rcvicw 2005. Prcmctin a
Harmcnicns Sccictu tc Ccpc witl a Crisis c[ Ccvcrnancc. Nottinglum: Clinu Policv
lnstitutc. Lnivcrsitv ol Nottinglum.
Zlong. R. (2005) 'Anulvsis ol tlc Conccpt ol Crowd' in Contcmporurv Clincsc Politicul
Contcxt' (JanJai zlcnnc zlcnzli uniin zlcn Jc unnzlcn ainian [cnxi). Trilnnc c[
Pclitical Scicncc anJ Law (zlcnnc zlcn[a Jaxnc xnclac) 2: 1014.
! l NGkONG 1ONG is u lccturcr in }ournulism und Mcdiu ut livcrpool Hopc Lnivcrsitv.
Hcr rcscurcl intcrcsts includc mcdiupowcr rclutions. invcstigutivc journulism und mcdiu
sociologv in Clinu. Slc is tlc uutlor ol 'Cucrrillu Tuctics ol lnvcstigutivc }ournulists in
Clinu'. publislcd in |cnrnalism in 2007 und wlicl will bc rcprintcd bv Sugc in 2009.
Slc is currcntlv working on u book on invcstigutivc journulism in Clinu. Tlis urticlc is
buscd on doctorul rcscurcl ut tlc Lnivcrsitv ol Wcstminstcr. ADDk L S S . Sclool ol Mcdiu.
lilm und Communicution. livcrpool Hopc Lnivcrsitv. Hopc Purk. livcrpool l1( 9}l. LK.
|cmuil: jingrongtong(vuloo.com]
at Shiraz University on February 22, 2011 das.sagepub.com Downloaded from