Don't ignore different rulebook

In an article, “A Response to President Xi Jinping”, our fellow journalists at The New York Times have again expressed frustration at having “a hard time obtaining permission to work in China”.

Before that, a reporter from the NYT asked President Xi whether the US-China agreement on easing visa restrictions would be extended to foreign journalists. It would be wonderful if it were, for it would make things easier for journalists from both countries. That the benefit covers only businesspeople, students and tourists is the outcome of bilateral negotiations based strictly on reciprocity, not a unilateral decision of the Chinese government.

So whether and when we as journalists, too, can get that treatment rests on both governments’ willingness and capability to negotiate a solution they find acceptable. That said, the NYT’s trouble appears to be peculiarly unique. Almost 700 foreign journalists, from more than 400 news organizations of 61 countries are stationed in China. Few have complained about having trouble getting or renewing a visa.

Xi’s advice, that soul-searching should be done over what has gone wrong, and that those who started the trouble should end it, may or may not ring a bell for the NYT. But the trouble will not evaporate in thin air.

The NYT editorial board, which authored the article, said it “has no intention of altering its coverage to meet the demands of any government”. But then, there is no law in this country that says a foreign news organization should be dictated by the Chinese government. It is beyond the Chinese government’s capabilities to manipulate hundreds of foreign media outlets.

The Chinese government will not say no to the NYT’s pledge that it “will continue to give the country and its citizens honest reporting and attention”. But before blaming Chinese media administrators, our fellow journalists at the NYT should have asked themselves why their reports are criticized as “biased” and “untrue”.

The NYT’s “response” article sounds unpleasant to Chinese ears because the government here believes in values different from that of the US and has a different rulebook. That is a fact the NYT seems to have ignored.

This is China. President Xi has said the Chinese government protects freedom of speech, and the media’s rightful interests in accordance with the law. But that law could only be China’s.

Anyone familiar with Chinese media administration should know that the environment for journalists in China has improved considerably since the Beijing Olympics. On Oct 17, 2008, the State Council Order 537 made it clear that journalists no longer need prior approval by authorities for reporting missions; they no longer need to be accompanied by Chinese officials on reporting missions; and they can interview any individual or institution without approval by a third party.

The NYT has no need to cooperate with the Chinese government, or alter its coverage to meet the latter’s demands. But it is common sense that China has no need, either, to meet any outside influence, direct or indirect, without due reaction.