by BI Yantao, China
1. http://www.abacon.com/commstudies/ (Allyn & Bacon)
2. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3669 (Communication Studies)
3. http://www.cosmoedu.net/journalismresources.html
(Cosmopolitan University, USA)
4. http://www.ojr.org/ (OJR, digital media center)
5. http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2006/09/your-guide-to-citizen-journalism270.html (Media Shift)
6. http://nightwatchcn.blogspot.com/ (nightwatch)
7. http://www.useit.com/papers/webwriting/ (writing for the web)
8. http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/editorials/other/how+to+write+short+stories/ (write short stories)
Friday, October 31, 2008
Great! Guangming Observer Revives
by BI Yantao, China
Congratulations! Guangming Observer suddenly came back to life yesterday, just as it suddenly ceased updating October 13.
Mr. Mu Dong (pen name), Chief Editor of Guangming Observer, told me yesterday in an email, he has been ill and has now recovered. I feel releived. We have established a long-standing friendship.
When I noticed on October 15 Guangming Observer ceased updating, I sent an email to Mr. Mu Dong but received no response. I called his office, finding nobody answering. In this case, I decided to write an article entiled "Guangming Net's Guangming Observer Suddenly Ceases Publishing", which is still available today at
http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2008/10/200810220306.shtml
To witness the revival, please log onto http://guancha.gmw.cn/.
Congratulations! Guangming Observer suddenly came back to life yesterday, just as it suddenly ceased updating October 13.
Mr. Mu Dong (pen name), Chief Editor of Guangming Observer, told me yesterday in an email, he has been ill and has now recovered. I feel releived. We have established a long-standing friendship.
When I noticed on October 15 Guangming Observer ceased updating, I sent an email to Mr. Mu Dong but received no response. I called his office, finding nobody answering. In this case, I decided to write an article entiled "Guangming Net's Guangming Observer Suddenly Ceases Publishing", which is still available today at
http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2008/10/200810220306.shtml
To witness the revival, please log onto http://guancha.gmw.cn/.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Youth Journalist, Inside Journalism and Beyond
by BI Yantao, China
Youth Journalist is one of the most influential journalism journals in China, elaborately designed for journalism practitioners and academics. In 2007, it was valued among Top Ten Creative Journals, the sole journalism journal granted this honor that year. Youth Journalist is now out to be the most prominent investigative journalism journal in China. Launched in 1941, Youth Journalist is one of the oldest journalism journals in China.
I made my first acquaintance with Youth Journalist in 2005, engaged as one of its Special Reporters. Since March 2008, I have got 6 essays published in it. In my correspondence with Ms. Lu Wenzhao and Mr. Wang Ligang, two of its editors, I am impressed by their commitment to the journal. Affected by their enthusiasm, I composed a promotion slogan for it: “Youth Journalist, Inside Journalism and Beyond”.
For more information, please log onto its official website: http://qnjz.dzwww.com/.
Copyright@2008 BI Yantao. All Rights Reserved.
Youth Journalist is one of the most influential journalism journals in China, elaborately designed for journalism practitioners and academics. In 2007, it was valued among Top Ten Creative Journals, the sole journalism journal granted this honor that year. Youth Journalist is now out to be the most prominent investigative journalism journal in China. Launched in 1941, Youth Journalist is one of the oldest journalism journals in China.
I made my first acquaintance with Youth Journalist in 2005, engaged as one of its Special Reporters. Since March 2008, I have got 6 essays published in it. In my correspondence with Ms. Lu Wenzhao and Mr. Wang Ligang, two of its editors, I am impressed by their commitment to the journal. Affected by their enthusiasm, I composed a promotion slogan for it: “Youth Journalist, Inside Journalism and Beyond”.
For more information, please log onto its official website: http://qnjz.dzwww.com/.
Copyright@2008 BI Yantao. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
What Is Global Women's Strike?
by BI Yantao, China
Global Women Strike (GWS) is a nongovernmental organization headquartered in London, taglined as “International network for recognition and payment for all caring work, and the return of military spending to the community starting with women the main carers”. Cooperating with national co-ordinations in 13 countries and participating organisations in over 60 countries, Global Women Strike coordinates international action on 8 March, International Women’s Day, and throughout the year.
Global Women Strike demands:
* Payment for all caring work - in wages, pensions, land & other resources. What is more valuable than raising children & caring for others? Invest in life & welfare, not military budgets or prisons.
* Pay equity for all, women & men, in the global market.
* Food security for breastfeeding mothers, paid maternity leave and maternity breaks. Stop penalizing us for being women.
* Don't pay 'Third World debt'. We owe nothing, they owe us.
* Accessible clean water, healthcare, housing, transport, literacy.
* Non-polluting energy & technology which shortens the hours we work. We all need cookers, fridges, washing machines, computers, & time off!
* Protection & asylum from all violence & persecution, including by family members & people in positions of authority.
* Freedom of movement. Capital travels freely, why not people?
I got to know Global Women Strike six years ago, when I was studying in England. Since then on, I have kept in touch with my friend Ms Ruth Hall, a backbone of this international NGO.
For more information, please log onto http://www.globalwomenstrike.net/.
Global Women Strike (GWS) is a nongovernmental organization headquartered in London, taglined as “International network for recognition and payment for all caring work, and the return of military spending to the community starting with women the main carers”. Cooperating with national co-ordinations in 13 countries and participating organisations in over 60 countries, Global Women Strike coordinates international action on 8 March, International Women’s Day, and throughout the year.
Global Women Strike demands:
* Payment for all caring work - in wages, pensions, land & other resources. What is more valuable than raising children & caring for others? Invest in life & welfare, not military budgets or prisons.
* Pay equity for all, women & men, in the global market.
* Food security for breastfeeding mothers, paid maternity leave and maternity breaks. Stop penalizing us for being women.
* Don't pay 'Third World debt'. We owe nothing, they owe us.
* Accessible clean water, healthcare, housing, transport, literacy.
* Non-polluting energy & technology which shortens the hours we work. We all need cookers, fridges, washing machines, computers, & time off!
* Protection & asylum from all violence & persecution, including by family members & people in positions of authority.
* Freedom of movement. Capital travels freely, why not people?
I got to know Global Women Strike six years ago, when I was studying in England. Since then on, I have kept in touch with my friend Ms Ruth Hall, a backbone of this international NGO.
For more information, please log onto http://www.globalwomenstrike.net/.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Brief Intro to Prof. BI Guangming
Prof. BI Guangming, born in Hubei Province, now works for Hainan Normal University, as Director of Teaching and Research Section for Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature. He is a State Council Expert for Special Allowance, a member of China’s Writers’ Association, Chief Editor of Journal of Hainan Normal University (Social Science Edition), and so forth. (by BI Yantao, China)
Media Digest, a monthly journal
by BI Yantao, China
Media Digest, popular among the Chinese journalistic world over the globe, is a monthly journal published by Radio Television Hong Kong. Its official website (www.rthk.org.hk/mediadigest) is also well-known globally. Fortunately, I have got 12 articles published in Media Digest since June 2003.
Media Digest is also accessible at http://www.rthk.org.hk/mediadigest/prev/index_ref.html .
For enquiries, please contact Managing Editor of Media Digest, Miss Mayella CHEUNG, via cheungll@rthk.org.hk.
Media Digest, popular among the Chinese journalistic world over the globe, is a monthly journal published by Radio Television Hong Kong. Its official website (www.rthk.org.hk/mediadigest) is also well-known globally. Fortunately, I have got 12 articles published in Media Digest since June 2003.
Media Digest is also accessible at http://www.rthk.org.hk/mediadigest/prev/index_ref.html .
For enquiries, please contact Managing Editor of Media Digest, Miss Mayella CHEUNG, via cheungll@rthk.org.hk.
Fool’s Mountain, An Open Forum on Chinese Issues
by BI Yantao, China
Based in California, USA, Fool’s Mountain is co-founded by a group of writers focusing on Chinese issues. It regularly publishes English articles and essays targeting both the Western and Chinese audience. To my appreciation, Fool’s Mountain claims to be “completely unaffiliated with any government, political party, or movement”. Noteworthily, its tagline “A wise one knows moving mountains is beyond human power, but a fool has other thoughts” is thought-provoking.
Another important reason why I like Fool’s Mountain is that the atmosphere inside the forum is fundamentally friendly, even when people are disagreeing with one another, which reveals that the debaters are well-educated and respectable.
Based in California, USA, Fool’s Mountain is co-founded by a group of writers focusing on Chinese issues. It regularly publishes English articles and essays targeting both the Western and Chinese audience. To my appreciation, Fool’s Mountain claims to be “completely unaffiliated with any government, political party, or movement”. Noteworthily, its tagline “A wise one knows moving mountains is beyond human power, but a fool has other thoughts” is thought-provoking.
Another important reason why I like Fool’s Mountain is that the atmosphere inside the forum is fundamentally friendly, even when people are disagreeing with one another, which reveals that the debaters are well-educated and respectable.
Understanding Censorship in Singapore
by BI Yantao (mainland China), 2002
Abstract: Geographically, politically, economically and socio-culturally, Singapore enjoys an unequalled status. Singapore’s government practises tight censorship of media but most of its people are satisfied with the censorship, because the censorship is well justified on a multitude of grounds. It’s a wonder that the Singapore’s government has so successfully manipulated its media to maintain the national security and the PAP’s ruling status.
1. Singapore: Unequalled Status
We [2] have decided to study Singaporean media because we believe that Singapore enjoys an unequalled status in the world, and that penetration into Singaporean media could reveal a sideway to social-political-cultural management.
1.1 Singapore: an intersection of the West and the East
Singapore, well known as “the city state”, is believed by many Asian people to be an interjection of the West and the East, not merely geographically, but politically and socio-culturally as well. Also, Singapore is asserted to “have shared an economic transformation from a developing country, to a newly industrialising economy, to its present status of “advanced industrialising nation” (Perry et al: 5). That is, Singapore is marching beyond a developing country to a developed one.
1.2 Singapore: a nation-state full of paradox
Singapore’s constitution stipulates the freedom of speech, “but permits official restrictions on these rights”[3]. The country is a republic with a parliamentary system of government, but the style of the government is considered authoritative [4]. The state has been practising a tight censorship of media within its territory, but most of its people are satisfied with the level of censorship (Anil: 18). The national government strictly controls all the Singaporean media, but meanwhile the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) offers enough agencies and forums for political debates (Perry et al: 11). The Chinese people account for 77 percent of its resident population, but the Chinese language is not a national language or the language of administration [5].
2. Cornerstones of Censorship in Singapore
2.1 Singaporean media: censorship and monopoly
It is well known that the access of Singaporeans to local media and foreign press is constrained by the government” (Perry et al: 4). In fact, Singapore’s daily reading is now determined primarily by the Singapore Press Holdings Group (SPH), while Media Corp of Singapore, a state-owned company and administrative power, controls television and radio broadcasting of the city-state [6]. Currently, the Singapore’s commercial Internet service is dominated by Singapore Telecom Singnet (Peng and Nadarajian: 2).2.2 Justification of the censorship
2.2.1 Politically
The ruling PAP tactfully used the socialist banner to obtain the maximising support and uniting the whole population in the struggle for independence from Britain. But once in power, the PAP asserted different political vision from its allies. When the latter defected to form a different party, the PAP sensed a serious threat of communist insurrection (Perry et al:8).]
In this context, the PAP took two major measures to consolidate its ruling status. First, it constructed a powerful state apparatus and put it to work through practising tight control of its people. In the workplace, union activity is government-controlled.
Choice of residential location and tenure are controlled by state regulations and for most of the
population there is no possibility of owning free-hold property.
In the public arena, the access to a free press is constrained by the controls on the circulation of
foreign news publications and government’s control of local media. Political debate is expected to
be channelled through government-controlled agencies or officially-registered political parties that are offered the same opportunities as the ruling People’s Action Party.
(Perry et al: 4)
In Singapore, the government publicises its policies and ideologies to the public through traditionally defined media, while the public voice their opinions through certain agencies and forums. These two processes make a two-way communication, which in theory is endless. I strongly believe this strategy contributes a lot to their national unity and national development.
Second, the PAP made every effort to articulate and promote “ideology of survival” to the population, in which economic and political survival were seen as inseparable with all other considerations secondary, but “economic development was given highest priority” (ibid: 9). As a result, it is claimed that “the developmental state is distinguished through absolute prioritising of economic growth and its use as a prime indicator of government performance (ibid: 10). Meanwhile, the PAP has adopted a special but effective political approach, that is, “to cultivate a continual sense of crisis and emergency among the population” (ibid: 4). In the past, the PAP often cited the threat from the Chinese culture, and afterwards “the state has stressed the continued importance of upgrading the economy and the dangers of complacently settling for present levels of prosperity” (Birch, 1993). The creation and promotion of “ideology of survival” in Singapore reminds us that the social powers can create some ideologies, whether true or false, and manipulate them to maintain their own privileged status.
Interestingly, in “Review of Yearbook of Singapore 2001”, Mr. Zulkifli Baharudin, former Nominated Member of parliament and currently Vice President, Logistics, re-stressed the threat from China:
Perhaps the biggest new variable in the region is China.
Lured by low costs, abundant talent, industrious workers and professionals, more and more technology manufactures are shifting their operations to China. This has led to a partial “hollowing out “ of Singapore’s manufacturing base, particularly in the lower end of the consumer electronic sector.
China continues to draw direct investment at the expense of many Asian economies.
(http://www.sg.flavor/profile_review.asp#china, November 15, 2002)
2.2.2 Historically
Singapore is a multi-racial and multi-religious state. There are three main racial groups, with the Chinese accounting for 77 percent of resident population, Malay 14 percent and Indians 8 percent. In terms of religion, Buddhism and Taoist jointly accounted for 51 percent of the resident population aged 15 years and above in 2000. but the shift toward Christianity continues, mainly because the better-educated Chinese are more inclined toward Christianity. As a result, the proportion of Christianity reached 15 percent in 2000. Some other religion such as Islam, Jewish synagogues, Zoroastrians and Jains, are also practised in Singapore (http://www.sg/flavor/people, November 15, 2002).
The complicated components of Singaporean culture entail the cultural and racial harmony and national unity. But in history, some racial riots are believed to be incited by media reports. Such disastrous incidents as the 1950 Maria Hertogh riot, which left 18 dead and 173 wounded, the 1964 Prophet Mahammad Birthday procession and the 1969 riot spill over Malaysia have taught the Singaporeans a very good lesson (Peng and Nadarajan: 2).
2.2.3 Socio-culturally
The Singaporeans are proud of their five shared values:
· Nation before community and society before self
· Family as the basic unit of society
· Community support and respect for the individual
· Consensus, not conflict
· Racial and religious harmony
(http://www/sg/flavor/value_five.asp, November 15, 2002)
In this cultural situation, the Singaporean “journalists believe they have a social responsibility to report the truth but most especially to promote the good of the community and the harmonious growth and development of a strong nation”[7].
Accordingly, the media practitioners are endeavouring to practise self-censorship, as is encouraged by the government. This, in turn, satisfies the government. Take Internet for example. Since the Singapore Internet Code of Practice was put in effect in 1996, the Singapore Broadcasting Authority (SBA) has not taken action against anyone for objectionable content on the Internet. According to SBA, this is because “service and content providers have generally abided by the guidelines” (Anil: 15).
3. Implementation of Censorship
3.1 Legislation and laws
Censorship in Singapore is undertaken by the Censorship Section of Ministry of Information and the Arts, by various laws including the Official Secrets Act and Internal Security Act. In the meantime, the Film and Publication Department administers the following acts: ¨Film Act ¨Undesirable publications ¨ Newspaper and Printing Act ¨ The Public Entertainments and Meetings Act (Chapter 25) relating to arts and entertainmentMeanwhile, SBA is responsible for regulating the Singapore radio and TV broadcasting, as well as Internet service.
3.2 Implementing strategies
The government has adopted strategic measures to practise censorship, mainly because of the limited technology, insufficient workforce and different degrees of emergency. It’s noticed that:
The government has defined certain topics as out of bounds, and publications that are deemed to incite violence, counsel disobedience to the law, and arouse tensions among the various classes, or threaten national interests, national security or public order are prohibited or restricted [8].
At the same time, different degrees of censorship are applied to different contents. As a rule, products of home/children/public consumption are more heavily censored than those for business/adults/private consumption (Peng and Nadarajan: 3).
3. Public Attitude to Censorship
Take the most controversial Internet censorship for instance. In 1999, a Gallup poll was conducted by Channel News Asia, and it was reported:
Most Singaporeans are satisfied with the level of censorship in Singapore, although many felt the community should pay a bigger role in making censorship decisions. The poll revealed that 85% of the respondents felt that censorship was necessary. The need to protect children and maintain moral standards were given as important and justifiable reasons for the level of censorship in Singapore. 82% of the respondents stated that they were satisfied with the level of censorship in Singapore (Anil: 18).
It has been observed that the continued economic growth, attendant social transformation and successful campaigns and programmes designed to change behaviour in respect of issues “added substantially to the prestige of the PAP and ensured popular acceptance of its political programmes” (Perry et al: 15).
4.Conclusion
It’s the writer’s view that the censorship in Singapore will remain tight in the predictable future. The main reasons are, for political, historical and socio-cultural considerations, both the government and the people want it, favouring caution and preventing over liberalism (Peng and Nadarajan: 1). What’s more, the media industry, readily taking their social responsibilities, generally supports the government in censorship. Even in the context of globalisation of media, no foreign or local entrants to date are likely to challenge the government’s tight media grip [9]. Anyway, it is illuminating that the younger Singaporeans are claiming more relaxed stance on censorship (Anil: 18).
Footnotes
[1] This essay is based on my manuscript of a presentation assigned by my module tutor Dr.Katharine Sarikakis at Coventry University, England.
[2] With thanks to my Malaysian module mates Miss Kik Fei Jiu and Miss Jan Kew for their help and cooperation.
[3] [4][7][8] Anon. (2000) Understanding Singaporean media”. http://www.prpassport.com/mediasingapore.htm. November 11.p1
[5] Anon. (2002) http://www.sg/flavor/people_4.asp. November 11
[6][9] Reuters. (2000) “Singapore’s media giants await new kid on block”. South China Morning Post. January 13.p1
Bibliography
1. Anil, Samtani (2002) “Re-Visiting the Singapore Internet Code of Practice”. http://www.elj.warwick.ac.uk/jilt/01-2/anil.html. November 112.
2.Birch, D. (1993) “Staging Crisis: Media and Citizenship”. In Rodan, G. (ed) pp72-83, Singapore Change Guard, Melbourne: Longman Cheshire3.
3.Jainschigg, Monica et al (eds) (1999) Doing Business and Investing in Singapore. Singapore: PricewaterhouseCoopers
4. Peng, Hwa Ang and Nadarajan, Berlinda. (1995) “Censorship and Internet: A Singapore Perspective”. http://www.isoc.org/HMP/PAPER/132/txt/paper.txt. May 4
5. Perry, Martin et al. (1997) “Singapore: A Developmental City State. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
6. Reuters. (2000) “Singapore’s media giants awaits new kid on block”. South China Morning Post. January 137.
7.Anon. (2000) “Understanding Singaporean Media”. http://www.prpassport.com/mediasingapore.htm. November 11,2002
8. http://www.sg/, November 11,2002
9. http://www.fpd.gov.sg/, November 11,2002
Copyright@2008 BI Yantao. All Rights Reserved.
Abstract: Geographically, politically, economically and socio-culturally, Singapore enjoys an unequalled status. Singapore’s government practises tight censorship of media but most of its people are satisfied with the censorship, because the censorship is well justified on a multitude of grounds. It’s a wonder that the Singapore’s government has so successfully manipulated its media to maintain the national security and the PAP’s ruling status.
1. Singapore: Unequalled Status
We [2] have decided to study Singaporean media because we believe that Singapore enjoys an unequalled status in the world, and that penetration into Singaporean media could reveal a sideway to social-political-cultural management.
1.1 Singapore: an intersection of the West and the East
Singapore, well known as “the city state”, is believed by many Asian people to be an interjection of the West and the East, not merely geographically, but politically and socio-culturally as well. Also, Singapore is asserted to “have shared an economic transformation from a developing country, to a newly industrialising economy, to its present status of “advanced industrialising nation” (Perry et al: 5). That is, Singapore is marching beyond a developing country to a developed one.
1.2 Singapore: a nation-state full of paradox
Singapore’s constitution stipulates the freedom of speech, “but permits official restrictions on these rights”[3]. The country is a republic with a parliamentary system of government, but the style of the government is considered authoritative [4]. The state has been practising a tight censorship of media within its territory, but most of its people are satisfied with the level of censorship (Anil: 18). The national government strictly controls all the Singaporean media, but meanwhile the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) offers enough agencies and forums for political debates (Perry et al: 11). The Chinese people account for 77 percent of its resident population, but the Chinese language is not a national language or the language of administration [5].
2. Cornerstones of Censorship in Singapore
2.1 Singaporean media: censorship and monopoly
It is well known that the access of Singaporeans to local media and foreign press is constrained by the government” (Perry et al: 4). In fact, Singapore’s daily reading is now determined primarily by the Singapore Press Holdings Group (SPH), while Media Corp of Singapore, a state-owned company and administrative power, controls television and radio broadcasting of the city-state [6]. Currently, the Singapore’s commercial Internet service is dominated by Singapore Telecom Singnet (Peng and Nadarajian: 2).2.2 Justification of the censorship
2.2.1 Politically
The ruling PAP tactfully used the socialist banner to obtain the maximising support and uniting the whole population in the struggle for independence from Britain. But once in power, the PAP asserted different political vision from its allies. When the latter defected to form a different party, the PAP sensed a serious threat of communist insurrection (Perry et al:8).]
In this context, the PAP took two major measures to consolidate its ruling status. First, it constructed a powerful state apparatus and put it to work through practising tight control of its people. In the workplace, union activity is government-controlled.
Choice of residential location and tenure are controlled by state regulations and for most of the
population there is no possibility of owning free-hold property.
In the public arena, the access to a free press is constrained by the controls on the circulation of
foreign news publications and government’s control of local media. Political debate is expected to
be channelled through government-controlled agencies or officially-registered political parties that are offered the same opportunities as the ruling People’s Action Party.
(Perry et al: 4)
In Singapore, the government publicises its policies and ideologies to the public through traditionally defined media, while the public voice their opinions through certain agencies and forums. These two processes make a two-way communication, which in theory is endless. I strongly believe this strategy contributes a lot to their national unity and national development.
Second, the PAP made every effort to articulate and promote “ideology of survival” to the population, in which economic and political survival were seen as inseparable with all other considerations secondary, but “economic development was given highest priority” (ibid: 9). As a result, it is claimed that “the developmental state is distinguished through absolute prioritising of economic growth and its use as a prime indicator of government performance (ibid: 10). Meanwhile, the PAP has adopted a special but effective political approach, that is, “to cultivate a continual sense of crisis and emergency among the population” (ibid: 4). In the past, the PAP often cited the threat from the Chinese culture, and afterwards “the state has stressed the continued importance of upgrading the economy and the dangers of complacently settling for present levels of prosperity” (Birch, 1993). The creation and promotion of “ideology of survival” in Singapore reminds us that the social powers can create some ideologies, whether true or false, and manipulate them to maintain their own privileged status.
Interestingly, in “Review of Yearbook of Singapore 2001”, Mr. Zulkifli Baharudin, former Nominated Member of parliament and currently Vice President, Logistics, re-stressed the threat from China:
Perhaps the biggest new variable in the region is China.
Lured by low costs, abundant talent, industrious workers and professionals, more and more technology manufactures are shifting their operations to China. This has led to a partial “hollowing out “ of Singapore’s manufacturing base, particularly in the lower end of the consumer electronic sector.
China continues to draw direct investment at the expense of many Asian economies.
(http://www.sg.flavor/profile_review.asp#china, November 15, 2002)
2.2.2 Historically
Singapore is a multi-racial and multi-religious state. There are three main racial groups, with the Chinese accounting for 77 percent of resident population, Malay 14 percent and Indians 8 percent. In terms of religion, Buddhism and Taoist jointly accounted for 51 percent of the resident population aged 15 years and above in 2000. but the shift toward Christianity continues, mainly because the better-educated Chinese are more inclined toward Christianity. As a result, the proportion of Christianity reached 15 percent in 2000. Some other religion such as Islam, Jewish synagogues, Zoroastrians and Jains, are also practised in Singapore (http://www.sg/flavor/people, November 15, 2002).
The complicated components of Singaporean culture entail the cultural and racial harmony and national unity. But in history, some racial riots are believed to be incited by media reports. Such disastrous incidents as the 1950 Maria Hertogh riot, which left 18 dead and 173 wounded, the 1964 Prophet Mahammad Birthday procession and the 1969 riot spill over Malaysia have taught the Singaporeans a very good lesson (Peng and Nadarajan: 2).
2.2.3 Socio-culturally
The Singaporeans are proud of their five shared values:
· Nation before community and society before self
· Family as the basic unit of society
· Community support and respect for the individual
· Consensus, not conflict
· Racial and religious harmony
(http://www/sg/flavor/value_five.asp, November 15, 2002)
In this cultural situation, the Singaporean “journalists believe they have a social responsibility to report the truth but most especially to promote the good of the community and the harmonious growth and development of a strong nation”[7].
Accordingly, the media practitioners are endeavouring to practise self-censorship, as is encouraged by the government. This, in turn, satisfies the government. Take Internet for example. Since the Singapore Internet Code of Practice was put in effect in 1996, the Singapore Broadcasting Authority (SBA) has not taken action against anyone for objectionable content on the Internet. According to SBA, this is because “service and content providers have generally abided by the guidelines” (Anil: 15).
3. Implementation of Censorship
3.1 Legislation and laws
Censorship in Singapore is undertaken by the Censorship Section of Ministry of Information and the Arts, by various laws including the Official Secrets Act and Internal Security Act. In the meantime, the Film and Publication Department administers the following acts: ¨Film Act ¨Undesirable publications ¨ Newspaper and Printing Act ¨ The Public Entertainments and Meetings Act (Chapter 25) relating to arts and entertainmentMeanwhile, SBA is responsible for regulating the Singapore radio and TV broadcasting, as well as Internet service.
3.2 Implementing strategies
The government has adopted strategic measures to practise censorship, mainly because of the limited technology, insufficient workforce and different degrees of emergency. It’s noticed that:
The government has defined certain topics as out of bounds, and publications that are deemed to incite violence, counsel disobedience to the law, and arouse tensions among the various classes, or threaten national interests, national security or public order are prohibited or restricted [8].
At the same time, different degrees of censorship are applied to different contents. As a rule, products of home/children/public consumption are more heavily censored than those for business/adults/private consumption (Peng and Nadarajan: 3).
3. Public Attitude to Censorship
Take the most controversial Internet censorship for instance. In 1999, a Gallup poll was conducted by Channel News Asia, and it was reported:
Most Singaporeans are satisfied with the level of censorship in Singapore, although many felt the community should pay a bigger role in making censorship decisions. The poll revealed that 85% of the respondents felt that censorship was necessary. The need to protect children and maintain moral standards were given as important and justifiable reasons for the level of censorship in Singapore. 82% of the respondents stated that they were satisfied with the level of censorship in Singapore (Anil: 18).
It has been observed that the continued economic growth, attendant social transformation and successful campaigns and programmes designed to change behaviour in respect of issues “added substantially to the prestige of the PAP and ensured popular acceptance of its political programmes” (Perry et al: 15).
4.Conclusion
It’s the writer’s view that the censorship in Singapore will remain tight in the predictable future. The main reasons are, for political, historical and socio-cultural considerations, both the government and the people want it, favouring caution and preventing over liberalism (Peng and Nadarajan: 1). What’s more, the media industry, readily taking their social responsibilities, generally supports the government in censorship. Even in the context of globalisation of media, no foreign or local entrants to date are likely to challenge the government’s tight media grip [9]. Anyway, it is illuminating that the younger Singaporeans are claiming more relaxed stance on censorship (Anil: 18).
Footnotes
[1] This essay is based on my manuscript of a presentation assigned by my module tutor Dr.Katharine Sarikakis at Coventry University, England.
[2] With thanks to my Malaysian module mates Miss Kik Fei Jiu and Miss Jan Kew for their help and cooperation.
[3] [4][7][8] Anon. (2000) Understanding Singaporean media”. http://www.prpassport.com/mediasingapore.htm. November 11.p1
[5] Anon. (2002) http://www.sg/flavor/people_4.asp. November 11
[6][9] Reuters. (2000) “Singapore’s media giants await new kid on block”. South China Morning Post. January 13.p1
Bibliography
1. Anil, Samtani (2002) “Re-Visiting the Singapore Internet Code of Practice”. http://www.elj.warwick.ac.uk/jilt/01-2/anil.html. November 112.
2.Birch, D. (1993) “Staging Crisis: Media and Citizenship”. In Rodan, G. (ed) pp72-83, Singapore Change Guard, Melbourne: Longman Cheshire3.
3.Jainschigg, Monica et al (eds) (1999) Doing Business and Investing in Singapore. Singapore: PricewaterhouseCoopers
4. Peng, Hwa Ang and Nadarajan, Berlinda. (1995) “Censorship and Internet: A Singapore Perspective”. http://www.isoc.org/HMP/PAPER/132/txt/paper.txt. May 4
5. Perry, Martin et al. (1997) “Singapore: A Developmental City State. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
6. Reuters. (2000) “Singapore’s media giants awaits new kid on block”. South China Morning Post. January 137.
7.Anon. (2000) “Understanding Singaporean Media”. http://www.prpassport.com/mediasingapore.htm. November 11,2002
8. http://www.sg/, November 11,2002
9. http://www.fpd.gov.sg/, November 11,2002
Copyright@2008 BI Yantao. All Rights Reserved.
A Portrayal of Prof. Zhou Yongxiu
Prof. Zhou Yongxiu (周永秀 ), born in Jimo City, Shandong Province, now works as a deputy professor of Taishan University, China. She received her education, chronologically, at Qufu Normal University, Shandong Normal University and Shandong University. Since her graduation in 1990, she has been teaching EFL in Shandong Province. Prof. Zhou is very popular among her students.
In addition to her successful teaching, Prof. Zhou Yongxiu is also a painstaking researcher. So far she has co-published 8 books and more than 140 essays. (by Bi Yantao, China)
In addition to her successful teaching, Prof. Zhou Yongxiu is also a painstaking researcher. So far she has co-published 8 books and more than 140 essays. (by Bi Yantao, China)
Brief Intro to Communication Studies Forum
Communication Studies Forum (http://www.chuanboxue.net) is a private website founded in 2001 by Prof. Ruan Zhixiao, a researcher working for Sichuan Academy of Social Science. This website impressed me deeply by vowing to defend and promote academic equality. I joined its editorial board as an editor soon after I returned to China in September 2003. With the joint efforts of its editorial board and global contributors, Communication Studies Forum has been rated as one of the most prominent platforms for communication scholars. (by BI Yantao, China)
China:Internet censorship upgraded
To activate an account on Tianya community website, taglined as "a communal home for global Chinese netizens", applicants are required to apply for a Tianya Code first. To obtain the Code, three choices are offered, each of which is actually imposing the controversial true-name registration system. (by BI Yantao, China)
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-126321
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-126321
Approach Prof. Sun Jin
Dr. Sun Jin now works as a professor and PhD supervisor of Department of Politics, Beijing Normal University, from which he obtained his PhD in 1988. In his earlier years, he worked on philosophy and esthetics, while in the recent 15 years he specializes in politics and sociology. He is also Director of Institute for China’s Rural Issues, Beijing Normal University. (by BI Yantao, China)
Global Unification International
Global Unification International (http://www.globalunification.com/) is a research and development association (sustainable development policy think tank), specializing in the transfer of technology, systems, applications, corporate governance, processes and procedures to institutions and organizations in developing countries.
Services Include:
* Policy Research and Development
* Emerging Markets: Entry and Development
* Political Lobbying and Public Relations
* Institutional Infrastructure Development
* Corporate Governance, Processes and Procedures
* Sustainable Development (economic, industrial environmental, social) Education
* Network Infrastructure Development and Systems Management
For more information, please contact Professor BI Yantao, Director for Asian Affairs of Global Unification International. He also works as Director and deputy professor of Center for Communication Studies of Hainan University, China.
Services Include:
* Policy Research and Development
* Emerging Markets: Entry and Development
* Political Lobbying and Public Relations
* Institutional Infrastructure Development
* Corporate Governance, Processes and Procedures
* Sustainable Development (economic, industrial environmental, social) Education
* Network Infrastructure Development and Systems Management
For more information, please contact Professor BI Yantao, Director for Asian Affairs of Global Unification International. He also works as Director and deputy professor of Center for Communication Studies of Hainan University, China.
Struggles over Controlling Public Opinion in China: A Case Study of Hainan Jinhai Issue
Struggles over Controlling Public Opinion in China: A Case Study of Hainan Jinhai Issue
by BI Yantao, Hainan University (Mainland China)
Presented at World Association for Public Opinion Research Regional Seminar (Hong Kong, December 8-10,2005)
by BI Yantao, Hainan University (Mainland China)
Presented at World Association for Public Opinion Research Regional Seminar (Hong Kong, December 8-10,2005)
Japanese Media, Public Opinion and Their Effects on Japan’s Policy Toward China
by BI Yantao
Presented at China Communication Studies Forum
June 24-26, 2005 Nanning, Guangxi Province, P.R. China
Abstract: My research suggests that the public opinion in Japan influences Japan’s foreign policy toward China through different channels. Therefore, it is vital to reshape the opinion environment in Japan in order to improve the bilateral relationship between Japan and China. To enhance China’s influencing capacity on the global stage, it is time to promote International Political Communication Studies.
Key Words: public opinion, foreign policy, global governance, image
Presented at China Communication Studies Forum
June 24-26, 2005 Nanning, Guangxi Province, P.R. China
Abstract: My research suggests that the public opinion in Japan influences Japan’s foreign policy toward China through different channels. Therefore, it is vital to reshape the opinion environment in Japan in order to improve the bilateral relationship between Japan and China. To enhance China’s influencing capacity on the global stage, it is time to promote International Political Communication Studies.
Key Words: public opinion, foreign policy, global governance, image
Guangming Net's Guangming Observer" Suddenly Ceases Publishing
Bi Yantao: "Guangming Net's Guangming Observer" Suddenly Ceases Publishing By chinafreepress.org (translation)Oct 21, 2008 - 3:12:42 PM
Bi Yantao: "Guangming Net's Guangming Observer" Suddenly Ceases PublishingBi Yantao blog: http://blog.51.ca/u-29124/
The full English version of this blog is accessible at http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2008/10/200810220306.shtml
Bi Yantao: "Guangming Net's Guangming Observer" Suddenly Ceases PublishingBi Yantao blog: http://blog.51.ca/u-29124/
The full English version of this blog is accessible at http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2008/10/200810220306.shtml
Part of Publications by Bi Yantao (2006-2007)
Part of Publications by Bi Yantao
(Years 2006-2007)
Part One: Book(s)
Bi, Yantao. Reconstruct the World with Information. Hong Kong: Heyi Cultural Press. September 2007
Part Two: Essays
1. Zhou, Yongxiu and Bi, Yantao. “Interpretation of Literary Texts”. Journal of Hainan Teachers’ University. December Edition 2007
2. Bi, Yantao and Zhou, Yongxiu. “Curb the Linguistic Violence and Defend the Public Interests”. Security of Internet. December Edition 2007
3. Zhou, Yongxiu and Bi, Yantao. “Extra-linguistic Context and Literary Interpretation”. Theory Horizon. Issue 11, 2007. p.p.214-215
4. Bi, Yantao. “Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and China’s Publishing Industry”. in Reconstruction the World with Information. Hong Kong: Heyi Cultural Press. September 2007. p.p.171-178
5. Bi, Yantao. “How to Curb Online Filthy Information”, Security of Internet. August Edition 2007
6. Bi, Yantao and Zhou, Yongxiu. “Structure and Decoding”. in Jiao, Yongqin (ed.) Literary Arts and Communication Studies. Beijing: China Yanshi Press. August 2007. p.p. 176-190
7. Bi, Yantao. “Is the Chinese Media Nth Estate?” [Hong Kong] Media Digest. May Edition 2007
8. Bi, Yantao. “2006 Annual Report of Hainan’s Newspapers”. in 2006 Yearbook of Chinese Newspapers. Beijing: Chinese Unification of Industry and Commerce Press. April 2007.p.p.93-95
9. Bi, Yantao. “The Embarrassment of Haina’s Areca”. The City of Areca. March 2007
10. Zhou, Yongxiu and Bi, Yantao. “The Ultimate Target of Intercultural Communication”. Journal of Shandong Teachers University. Issue 1, 2007. p.p.191-192
11. Bi, Yantao. “Communication of NGOs Conference”, International Public Relations. Issue 6, 2006
12. Bi, Yantao. “Is News An Obstacle or Supporter?” [Hong Kong] Media Digest. July Edition 2006
13. Bi, Yantao. “The Revolutionaries in communication and the communication of Literary Art”. in Sun Shaoxian (ed.) Literary Arts and Media Relations, Beijing: China Social science Press. May 2006
14. Bi, Yantao. “Mass Media, a platform where powers compete”, [Hong Kong] Media Digest, February. Edition 2006
15. Bi, Yantao et al. “Techniques for Controlling Public Opinion”. Daizong Journal. Issue 1, 2006 (Republished in International Public Relations. Issue 4, 2006. p.p.73-74)
Part Three: Book Review
1. Bi, Yantao. “Crises in the Age of Public Diplomacy”. [Hong Kong] Media Digest. November Edition 2007
2. Bi, Yantao. “Who Is the Real Paper-tiger?” in Reconstruct the World with Information. Hong Kong: Heyi Cultural Press. September 2007
3. Bi, Yantao. “Does USA Rule the World by Propaganda?” [Hong Kong] Media Digest. January Edition 2006
Part Four: Translation(s)
Bi, Yantao. “The Media Tactics of Western NGOs”. NPOs World. June 2007.p.p.55-58
(Years 2006-2007)
Part One: Book(s)
Bi, Yantao. Reconstruct the World with Information. Hong Kong: Heyi Cultural Press. September 2007
Part Two: Essays
1. Zhou, Yongxiu and Bi, Yantao. “Interpretation of Literary Texts”. Journal of Hainan Teachers’ University. December Edition 2007
2. Bi, Yantao and Zhou, Yongxiu. “Curb the Linguistic Violence and Defend the Public Interests”. Security of Internet. December Edition 2007
3. Zhou, Yongxiu and Bi, Yantao. “Extra-linguistic Context and Literary Interpretation”. Theory Horizon. Issue 11, 2007. p.p.214-215
4. Bi, Yantao. “Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and China’s Publishing Industry”. in Reconstruction the World with Information. Hong Kong: Heyi Cultural Press. September 2007. p.p.171-178
5. Bi, Yantao. “How to Curb Online Filthy Information”, Security of Internet. August Edition 2007
6. Bi, Yantao and Zhou, Yongxiu. “Structure and Decoding”. in Jiao, Yongqin (ed.) Literary Arts and Communication Studies. Beijing: China Yanshi Press. August 2007. p.p. 176-190
7. Bi, Yantao. “Is the Chinese Media Nth Estate?” [Hong Kong] Media Digest. May Edition 2007
8. Bi, Yantao. “2006 Annual Report of Hainan’s Newspapers”. in 2006 Yearbook of Chinese Newspapers. Beijing: Chinese Unification of Industry and Commerce Press. April 2007.p.p.93-95
9. Bi, Yantao. “The Embarrassment of Haina’s Areca”. The City of Areca. March 2007
10. Zhou, Yongxiu and Bi, Yantao. “The Ultimate Target of Intercultural Communication”. Journal of Shandong Teachers University. Issue 1, 2007. p.p.191-192
11. Bi, Yantao. “Communication of NGOs Conference”, International Public Relations. Issue 6, 2006
12. Bi, Yantao. “Is News An Obstacle or Supporter?” [Hong Kong] Media Digest. July Edition 2006
13. Bi, Yantao. “The Revolutionaries in communication and the communication of Literary Art”. in Sun Shaoxian (ed.) Literary Arts and Media Relations, Beijing: China Social science Press. May 2006
14. Bi, Yantao. “Mass Media, a platform where powers compete”, [Hong Kong] Media Digest, February. Edition 2006
15. Bi, Yantao et al. “Techniques for Controlling Public Opinion”. Daizong Journal. Issue 1, 2006 (Republished in International Public Relations. Issue 4, 2006. p.p.73-74)
Part Three: Book Review
1. Bi, Yantao. “Crises in the Age of Public Diplomacy”. [Hong Kong] Media Digest. November Edition 2007
2. Bi, Yantao. “Who Is the Real Paper-tiger?” in Reconstruct the World with Information. Hong Kong: Heyi Cultural Press. September 2007
3. Bi, Yantao. “Does USA Rule the World by Propaganda?” [Hong Kong] Media Digest. January Edition 2006
Part Four: Translation(s)
Bi, Yantao. “The Media Tactics of Western NGOs”. NPOs World. June 2007.p.p.55-58
My Portfolios at CU Website
BI Yantao ( China )
Anxious for a new experience and fascinated with communication studies, I took the MA Communication Culture and Media program at Coventry University in 2002. Five years has passed since my graduation, but I still believe the time at CU one of the most fruitful and enjoyable periods in my life. I especially enjoy the flexible teaching and tutorial system, and the excellent learning atmosphere and resources. Furthermore, I cherish the friendly atmosphere and surroundings of Coventry University.
Enlightened by the program, after graduation I have been making every effort to promote and practise communication studies in China. Now I work as Director and deputy professor of Center for Communication Studies of Hainan University, Director for Chinese Affairs of Global Unification. In my spare time I also act as a consultant of some NGOs and corporations. So far I have published 10 books (14 volumes) and about 450 articles in different countries. Meanwhile, as a hard-working columnist I write for dozens of influential Chinese websites, including the official website of Guangming Daily and http://www.chinathinktank.cn/.
To shed a new light on the political world and advance democratization of China, I have recently established Daizong Meditation Room, a nonprofit research platform for political communication studies, at the foot of Mountain Taishan in Shandong Province, which is open to all the interested researchers all over the world, free of charge.
http://www.coventry.ac.uk/cu/d/199/a/8352
Anxious for a new experience and fascinated with communication studies, I took the MA Communication Culture and Media program at Coventry University in 2002. Five years has passed since my graduation, but I still believe the time at CU one of the most fruitful and enjoyable periods in my life. I especially enjoy the flexible teaching and tutorial system, and the excellent learning atmosphere and resources. Furthermore, I cherish the friendly atmosphere and surroundings of Coventry University.
Enlightened by the program, after graduation I have been making every effort to promote and practise communication studies in China. Now I work as Director and deputy professor of Center for Communication Studies of Hainan University, Director for Chinese Affairs of Global Unification. In my spare time I also act as a consultant of some NGOs and corporations. So far I have published 10 books (14 volumes) and about 450 articles in different countries. Meanwhile, as a hard-working columnist I write for dozens of influential Chinese websites, including the official website of Guangming Daily and http://www.chinathinktank.cn/.
To shed a new light on the political world and advance democratization of China, I have recently established Daizong Meditation Room, a nonprofit research platform for political communication studies, at the foot of Mountain Taishan in Shandong Province, which is open to all the interested researchers all over the world, free of charge.
http://www.coventry.ac.uk/cu/d/199/a/8352
Center for Communication Studies of Hainan University
Established in December, 2004, Center for Communication Studies of Hainan University (CCSHU) is the first of its kind in Hainan Province. It is initiated and directed by Prof. Bi Yantao, who is educated in China, UK and Ireland. The Center is designed to
1. promote the mutual understanding and exchanges between the people and
scholars of P.R.China and other countries, from the perspective of international
communication;
2. help improve the effectiveness and empowerment of grassroot organizations and local communities, from the perspective of political communication;
3. help the marginalized/disadvantaged people enhance the quality of themselves
and their lives, from the perspective of integrated communication.
1. promote the mutual understanding and exchanges between the people and
scholars of P.R.China and other countries, from the perspective of international
communication;
2. help improve the effectiveness and empowerment of grassroot organizations and local communities, from the perspective of political communication;
3. help the marginalized/disadvantaged people enhance the quality of themselves
and their lives, from the perspective of integrated communication.
Interested in China?
Are you eager to know what China is really like? Are you working on a project on China or writing about China? If you need any cooperation or assistance from China, please don’t hesitate to contact Prof. BI Yantao via bytaishan@sina.com. Thank you.
Call for Materials on Political Communication Studies
Daizong Meditation Room, established by Professor BI Yantao, is designed to promote the political communication studies in China and advance the democratization of the Chinese mainland. Situated at the foot of the world-famous Mount Taishan, Daizong Meditation Room is the first non-profit research center of its kind in China. It is open to all interested researchers over the world, free of charge. To push our career forward, donations of books, essays, diaries, etc. on political communication studies are welcome. For more information, please contact BI Yantao via bytaishan@sina.com. Thank you.
Monday, October 27, 2008
China: Internet censorship tightened
by BI Yantao
Update: Oct.28, 2008
As Beijing Olympics closed, the Internet censorship in China further tightened. Undeniably, this deterioration has affected and frustrated an increasing number of netizens in China.
First, it is unlikely now to publish any contribution on state-run or commercial websites in China once “sensitive words” are identified in your writing. Some blog-hosting sites practice self-censorship so strictly that I even couldn’t post a composition by a junior high school student.
Second, the highly controversial true-name registration system has actually been adopted by more websites in China. Today when I tried to register with Tianya Community website, I was required to provide my mobile phone number, my ID card number or my true name to activate my account. Since in China all mobile phone users have already been demanded to register with true names, Tianya website is in fact imposing the unpopular true-name registration system.
Third, some foreign websites, including those of Radio France International, Reporters Without Borders, have been blocked again after the Beijing Olympics drew to an end. Meanwhile, although other foreign websites remain approachable in China, some of their touchy contents are actually not accessible.
It seems to me that China has sent out contradictious signals regarding the online public opinion. On the one hand, the national leaders such as Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao stressed repeatedly that they need to hear the voice of the people; on the other hand, the authorities have continuously enhanced the surveillance of the Internet, which will definitely scare away some web users.
(This writer BI Yantao is a communication professor in China. Copyright@2008 BI Yanto. All Rights Reserved.)
Update: Oct.28, 2008
As Beijing Olympics closed, the Internet censorship in China further tightened. Undeniably, this deterioration has affected and frustrated an increasing number of netizens in China.
First, it is unlikely now to publish any contribution on state-run or commercial websites in China once “sensitive words” are identified in your writing. Some blog-hosting sites practice self-censorship so strictly that I even couldn’t post a composition by a junior high school student.
Second, the highly controversial true-name registration system has actually been adopted by more websites in China. Today when I tried to register with Tianya Community website, I was required to provide my mobile phone number, my ID card number or my true name to activate my account. Since in China all mobile phone users have already been demanded to register with true names, Tianya website is in fact imposing the unpopular true-name registration system.
Third, some foreign websites, including those of Radio France International, Reporters Without Borders, have been blocked again after the Beijing Olympics drew to an end. Meanwhile, although other foreign websites remain approachable in China, some of their touchy contents are actually not accessible.
It seems to me that China has sent out contradictious signals regarding the online public opinion. On the one hand, the national leaders such as Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao stressed repeatedly that they need to hear the voice of the people; on the other hand, the authorities have continuously enhanced the surveillance of the Internet, which will definitely scare away some web users.
(This writer BI Yantao is a communication professor in China. Copyright@2008 BI Yanto. All Rights Reserved.)
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