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Journalistic ethics questioned at SCMP

Written by Our Correspondent

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

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Mr. Wang's way or Mr. Highway

So why was Li Wangyang’s suicide not news – at first?

A decision by the South China Morning Post’s new editor in chief, Wang Xiangwei, to reduce a major breaking story on the suspicious death of Tiananmen dissident Li Wangyang in a Hunan hospital to a brief has kicked off a new controversy at the paper.

Alex Price, a senior sub editor at the paper, sent Wang an email saying “A lot of people are wondering why we nibbed the Li Wangyang story last night. It does seem rather odd. Any chance you can shed some light on the matter?”

Wang answered curtly: “I made that decision.” When Price asked in a subsequent email: “Any chance you say why? It’s just that to the outside world it looks an awful lot like self-censorship,” it generated an explosion from Wang.

“I don’t have to explain to you anything. I made the decision and I stand by it. If you don’t like it, you know what to do.”

“Li Wangyang, a good man died for his cause and we turned it from a story into a brief. The rest of Hong Kong splashed on it,” Price responded. “Your staff are understandably concerned by this. News is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations. Please explain the decision to reduce the suspicious death of Li Wangyang to a brief. I need to be able to explain it to my friends who are asking why we did it. I'm sorry but your reply of "it is my decision, if you don't like it you know what to do" is not enough in such a situation. Frankly it seems to be saying "shut up or go."

The paper subsequently went all-out on the story, carried a full focus page devoted to the matter, plus editorials, two columns by Wang and other stories. “Yet on the day it counted we reduced the story to a nib. Journalistic ethics are at stake. The credibility of the South China Morning Post is at stake. Your staff - and readers - deserve an answer,” Price said.

Price subsequently sent the email exchange to a wide range of colleagues and others. He is said to fear for his job.

The exchange has raised fears that what has long been regarded as one of Asia’s most influential English-language voices has begun to bow to Beijing under Wang, the paper’s first mainland-born editor and a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Congress.

“I think it’s important for the SCMP to come out and clarify the situation,” said Mak Yinting, chairperson of the Hong Kong Journalists Association. “From a managerial point of view, it is important for Wang Xiangwei to communicate with his colleagues. Now there has been doubt raised. Wang’s reaction seems to close the door for explanation. Second, the Chinese-language papers have questioned why they carried that brief on the first day. It is now a public issue because self-censorship will weaken the credibility of the paper. I urge the SCMP to explain to the public whether it was only bad judgment or self-censorship.”

Li Wangyang’s suicide came days after he spoke to a Hong Kong TV channel, recounting two decades of harsh imprisonment and torture which left his sight and hearing severely damaged. Hong Kong politicians, including York Chow, Hong Kong’s secretary for food and health, have questioned why a frail man who had survived relentless torture for so long, would suddenly decide to hang himself - or even have the strength to do so. Even incoming chief executive Leung Chun-ying, who himself has been accused of being too close to Beijing, observed a minute's silence to mourn Li.

Many pro-Beijing comrades in Hong Kong have also uncharacteristically raised their voices asking for full investigation and disclosure. This is an election year in Hong Kong for expanded legislative seats and emotions have run high on Beijing’s unrectified verdict on the Tiananmen students. The pro-Beijing parties fear there could be a backlash. There was a record turnout of 180,000 people for the June 4 anniversary vigil in Victoria Park. The march that erupted on June 10 after Li Wangyang’s suspicious suicide vented more anger against the blatant disregard for human rights in China.

Xiangwei the final nail in SCMP coffin?

When Wang Xiangwei was appointed editor-in-chief of the territory’s 110-yer-old paper of record, many industry professionals had misgivings. The more optimistic hoped that the independent journalistic traditions at the century-old paper would prevail over political correctness.

Wang was invited to articulate his intentions for the paper at Hong Kong’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club in April this year. The audience was none the wiser for his talk but Xiangwei pledged to uphold journalistic standards of reporting ‘without fear or favor.’ The spin was predictable.

He did say that two months was too short a time to judge his editorship and asked his FCC audience to invite him back in six months. They should. He has a lot to answer for which is depressing for journalism at one of Asia’s long admired English language newspapers. The sorry journalism at the Straits Times in Singapore, the discredited mainstream media in Malaysia and Burma and the woefully provincial press in Manila, all explain why the SCMP is such a relief to read. For how much longer?

The hiccups which SCMP has gone through with the serial termination of political cartoonists and China reporters continue to reverberate. Is Wang Xiangwei the final nail on the coffin? The spin-doctors at the China Liaison Office (HQ for ‘united front’ activities) could not have wished for a more effective liaison.

More insightful China analysis

It is generally acknowledged that the SCMP’s China news coverage, commentary and analysis is consistently superior to any international newspaper. That is largely due to Xiangwei’s knowledge of and access to the inner networks of the PRC government, party and academics.

As a CPPCC member at the national level, Xiangwei would not be considered a security risk. He is not categorized as a dissident or Westernized liberal. He has considerable leeway in editorial commentary so long as his facts stand up and he stays aloof from factional politics.

The bosses in Beijing are quite relaxed about their man in power at the SCMP. His instinct on ‘sensitive’ issues are ‘reliable’ as the Li Wangyang incident has shown. President Hu Jintau is due to visit Hong Kong on July 1 for the 15th anniversary of the handover. The minders at the Hong Kong & Macau Affairs Office and the China Liaison Office are nervous of demonstrations during that high-profile visit.

After the other Hong Kong papers covered Li Wangyang’s suicide comprehensively, the SCMP ultimately rejoined the queue with strong features, editorials and commentary. Xiangwei obviously looks over his shoulder before treading on sensitive issues.

Editor-in-Chief needs to be a leader too

What is emerging from the SCMP newsroom is that Wang Xiangwei lacks people skills, organizational ability and respect for time. He has been known to confirm appointments with his subordinates which then drift by for hours or days. He is dismissive of subordinates who query his edicts. He does not share his vision for the paper or articulate any clear editorial philosophy for his journalists. His news conference style is not participative.

Like a mandarin in office, he is imperious and aloof. In a creative environment of writers and analysts, that does not sit well. The lack of inspirational leadership in the newsroom is a damper for most who looked forward to the change from its last editor-in-chief who co-operated in gutting the senior echelon.

More Beijing talent from Xiangwei’s network are being appointed to senior positions and Western journalists are feeling unwelcome.

The Malaysian trio who were brought in earlier have departed for a new era of Singaporean chiefs following the appointment of former Singapore foreign minister George Yeo as vice-chairman of Kerry Group (a unit of Kuok Group) from January this year. Kerry Group has a controlling interest in the SCMP.

Replacing western journalists and introducing security department officials into supervisory positions at the Straits Times is well known throughout the industry. The South China Morning Post will have the benefit of this media muzzling expertise from its new advisers.

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written by Wen Yiduo, June 19, 2012

I take exception to you comments regarding Wang Xiangwei's knowledge and access to people. Wang Xiangwei makes a zero contribution to the China section, aside from assigning meaningless and stupid stories. Anything good that appears in the China pages is due to the many knowledgeable reporters who cover China. If anything, Wang Xiangwei censors news or gets in the way. He's made a zero competition. Furthermore, he's pushed all of the Western reporters out of the newspaper, several of whom won awards since his arrival.

Fascinating!
written by China, June 20, 2012

Fascinating and insightful article for anyone interested in behind-the-scenes journalism. Thanks for running this!

Damn commies
written by Wai, June 20, 2012

SCMP is one of the oldest and used to be one of the most trustworthy newspapers in HK. Its use of English language makes it a door for foreigners to know about HK. Since the arrival of the commies 15 years ago, every good thing in HK has become a shite!

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written by Frankie Fook-lun Leung, June 20, 2012

This is an obvious case of self-censorship. That's why SCMP will never take the place of opinion leader in English-speaking places as far as independent journalism is concerned.

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written by hk, June 20, 2012

in case anyone forgets that the brits returned hk back to china since 1 July 1997.

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Hold the racism please
written by Ulee, June 20, 2012

Appreciate the discussion about ethics and news judgement; disgusted by the racism in the comments.

Creeping ills
written by Kryst, June 20, 2012

There is a common saying in Hong Kong: The warm bath that boils the frog.

We, the people are the frogs, comfortably bathing in jaccuzzi of self and imposed censorship the heat of which is slowly turned up until our freedom is cooked.

Xiangwei's response to criticism
written by Wang Xiangwei, June 20, 2012

To:Editorial Newsroom

From: Wang Xiangwei, Editor-in-chief

Re:South China Morning Post editorial department

Date:20th June 2012

Dear team

I am five months into my role as Editor-in-chief and today I face a situation where my leadership and our newspaper’s integrity have been called into question.

This matter should have been resolved in a much more constructive way. However, it gives me an opportunity to state where I stand as editor in a city where we hold press freedom dear.

Firstly please allow me to state the facts. I want to make it absolutely clear that I did not try to downplay the Li Wangyang story.

Despite local media insinuations, the case of the hanging of dissident Li Wangyang was reported extensively in our newspaper. Although I chose not to prioritize coverage on the first day it broke until more facts and details surrounding the circumstances of this case could be established, we subsequently splashed no less than three front pages, two leaders, plus several other prominent positions including two articles by myself.

We all have a huge responsibility to deliver news that continues the journalistic heritage we have inherited. I am proud of our team and believe we are able to continue to build upon this legacy of excellence together.

Finally, as I have said on many occasions, I welcome all discussion and debate in a timely, professional and mutually respectful manner.

Trusted, authoritative reporting remains our legacy, our strength and our purpose.
Let’s continue to build upon that.

Xiangwei

Editor In Chief of SCMP Group.
written by Wang Xiangwei, June 20, 2012

Dear SCMP,
Basically, what I meant to say in that previous email, is you can always trust incompetence over conspiracy in newspapers. And to be honest, I didn't have any idea who Li Wangyang was (until I read about him in the Chinese papers the following day), so I didn't think his death required coverage beyond a single paragraph. Stop making this a political issue! it's a competence issue! And I clearly don't have any. For that, I apologise. But competence has never been that important to securing a job on the SCMP - just ask Alex Price. I don't understand why all you gweilos make a big deal out of me being a member of the Communist Party of China. After all, your governments all love the Chinese communists now.
Best wishes,
Xiangwei

Respectful???
written by Zhao Blogs, June 20, 2012

"Finally, as I have said on many occasions, I welcome all discussion and debate in a timely, professional and mutually respectful manner."

"I made that decision. If you don't like it you know what you can do."

Enough said.

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written by AndyinBeijing, June 20, 2012

His personal managerial style obviously is far too disrespectful, but that does not mean the man is a censoring monster. We should avoid a rush to judgement.
I would guess - and it is an informed guess -- he felt his new authority being challenged and he is not used to his mainland Chinese staff doing that to him and esepcially uncomfortable with handling foreigners' more open, challenging and direct style.
In hong Kong, he is a controversial, unloved new editor, coming from the mandarin mainland to savvy Hong Kong, being challenged by a foreigner, feeling a potential loss of face over his competence and judgment. he talks the talk but like most Chinese managers on the mainland, struggles to avoid the impertial trappings of power and subjects.
That said, Wang is only human and it looks like he messed up. He probably just needs more foriegn friends.
Just a theory, and I'm not saying that Alex Price was wrong to challenge or even publicize the incident, however embarrassing it may be to Wang and SCMP. Self-censorship is much too important to risk giving Wang and his bosses the benefit of the doubt over this. There is a clear history of self-censorship and the firings of senior staff unconscionable.
But Wang backed himself into a corner here mostly with his belligerent and insecure response to a potential face-losing challenge. This incident might help him learn a little humility and one hopes his staff will not jump to conclusions simply because he is a mainlander. One should ask: If a foreign editor did what he did, would the question even have been asked? Possibly.
His response was the real problem: vain, weak and human rather than an elaborate political cover-up.
So well done Alex Price. Give Wang a chance.
Now kiss and make up. smilies/wink.gif

Cut the guy some slack, I would suggest. He might pleasantly surprise you if you did.

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written by WestintheEast, June 21, 2012

I don't know Price but I believe what he did is called whistleblowing. Good on him.

Separate managment style from self-censorship
written by K.S. Lau, June 21, 2012

I read somewhere that Wang is the 10th editor in 11 years, an indication of the culture of that newsroom. The tone of the email to his colleague is most inappropriate, we all agree. It's a hard and useful lesson for Wang to learn, and he needs to apologise to his team. However, as editor-in-chief who has only been in the job for a few months, his act of caution is understandable. Let's separate his mgt style from self-censorship, and certainly not blow up this issue to another "HK Chinese: Mainland Chinese" version. 本是同根生，相煎何太急！
K. S. Lau (40+ years SCMP reader)

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Slipper sucker
written by Gaz, June 21, 2012

This guy's a slippery one, I don't buy that it was just a "mistake". Firing their foreign staff and hiring Beijing loyal staff was also a "mistake" huh? But I suppose SCMP has been going downhill for a long time and we shouldn't expect much better than this. Choosing a Beijing loyalist to run the paper has OBVIOUS motivations, let's call a spade a spade and not dodge around the issue, this guy was put there to make these exact decisions, and he backed himself up the only way Mainland managers know how to - by pulling rank.

We already have the People's Daily English version for this rubbish, we don't need another one. They risk making themselves completely irrelevant to their readership. I wonder how many years it will be before they completely collapse along with print media worldwide.

Faked letter
written by Ma Jun, June 22, 2012

There are two letters posted above written by Wang Xiangwei. From personal knowledge, I can say the first one was definitely written by him. The second, shorter one, definitely was faked, apparently by someone with their own agenda. I worked for Mr Wang for three years. He would not attack Alex Price's competence directly; he has more class than that. Second, he does not use the word "gweilo", which is Cantonese -- a language Mr Wang barely speaks, if at all. Third, he did not close the first one with "best wishes". Why would he write it on the second one? Answer: he didn't. By posting that second letter, someone is out to add fuel to the fire.

Furthermore, let's get a few facts straight: The CPPCC of which Mr Wang was a member was the provincial-level one in Jilin, where he is from. Some news organisations (including Reuters) conveniently leave out the "provincial" part, leaving the reader to assume that he contributed on the national level, which is not true.

Finally, if you look in the archives of the SCMP and, I dare say, any other Hong Kong newspaper, the last previous mention of Li Wangyang (whose death started all of this) was in 2002 -- 10 years ago! If Mr Wang says he didn't recognise the name and decided at the time to print only a brief on Li's death, doesn't that sound reasonable? By all means, keep watch on the newspaper for any self-censorship. And yes, I imagine Mr Wang regrets his choice of words he used in the exchange of e-mails with Mr Price. But with all due respect to Mr Price and his concern about self-censorship, I'm betting that's not what happened this time.

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written by Frankie Fook-lun Leung, June 27, 2012

If this happens in another newspaper in the USA, I guarantee you that Mr. Wang will be relieved of duties as editor if not asked to resign. SCMP will soon become another China Daily and renamed South China Mourning Post.