Hush Money Journalism

Systemic corruption in local governments has created a rise in professional blackmail journalists

Later last year, a dozen journalists were discovered to have taken hush money totaling 2.6 million yuan, according to a Hebei Provincial government report released January 9. Local authorities in Weixian, Hebei Province bribed journalists, including four from national media, to silence a mining accident that occurred July 14, 2008. Crowds of journalists lined up for hush money to be handed out after a local coal mine accident in Shanxi Province Nov. 3, 2008.

As these cases show, the lure of money continues to dull the consciences of a few journalists. But as for whether only the journalists should be responsible, Professor Zhan Jiang from the Beijing Foreign Studies University said that the brunt of criticism ought to be directed at local government officials.

Officials in areas with intense mining, such as Hebei and Shanxi, are frequently found attempting to conceal accidents from the public. Professor Zhan said local authorities in mining areas have come to rely on concealing work safety accidents through cutting information off from the public and using public funds for bribes. Zhan says this systemic corruption creates "professional blackmail journalists."

Corrupt journalists have their roots in the current institutional structure, says Zhan. Recent changes in the landscape of the Chinese media from market reforms have shifted the flow of government funds to media outlets. Meanwhile, advertising has become a buyer's market in China, resulting in a more competitive environment for revenues. Journalists have been reacting to the transition in different ways.

Ultimately, the corruption of the media boils down to government corruption. Zhan Jiang stressed the responsibility of the propaganda department in government administration but he said the General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) shouldn't be responsible for the supervision journalists, beyond approving professional qualifications of journalists.

The current reliance on mere government supervision has only created an atmosphere where journalistic ethics are systematically eviscerated. As Chinese society becomes more open, legal regulations for bribery should replace government supervision over media.

(Translated by GC)

Full Article in Chinese: http://economy.caing.com/2010-02-03/100113090.html