Dilemma of spokespersons

After Ministry of Railways' spokesman Wang Yongping was removed from office on Aug 16, some netizens sympathized with him instead of only criticizing his performance. The change in netizens' attitude is welcome, but Wang was an example of the problems government spokespersons could create, says an article in Yangtze Evening Post. Excerpts:

Wang's dismissal did have something to do with his performance, but it is understandable that some netizens have softened their attitude toward him. As former spokesman for the Ministry of Education said on his blog: "Who will be the next Wang?" Such a situation has been created because spokespersons seem to hide information from the public.

China formally established the spokespersons' system in 2003 after the SARS outbreak. The system has developed rapidly into three levels: State Council, ministries, and local provinces and cities. But the system depends more on how spokespersons use their public relations and skills to "cover up" incidents instead of trying to resolve them.

The People's Daily has divided "unqualified" spokespersons into those who have "no comment", "talk on everything", "repeat what the book says", "defend themselves" and "report only the good and ignore the bad".

Today, almost every interested person has his/her sources of information, including new media. The public expects spokespersons to answer everything honestly and with proof, and doesn't like those who maintain silence or skirt issues.

Perhaps things will improve when the system matures. But for now, it is badly in need of improvement.

(China Daily 08/23/2011 page9)