Media self-censorship in China

In my International Mass Communications class we learned about different press systems around the world, one of them being the authoritarian press system in China.  This country is known for exercising self-censorship on a daily basis.  It is not easy to criticize the government without initiating some sort of political crackdown.  The press system in China seems entirely different than the Western model in the United States.  To answer my questions about the Chinese press system I read an scholarly peer-reviewed journal article titled, “Press self-censorship in China: a case study in the transformation of discourse.”

From my class and general Western knowledge, I’ve heard a lot of why authoritarian media systems are harmful to journalists and the public.  Despite this, there’s always another side to the story and I wanted to know the pros of an authoritarian system.  This article was particularly useful in demonstrating what makes authoritarian media systems positive.  Jingrong Tong, the author for this article, elaborated on how journalists carry out their work within China (I was also interested in this).  The writer took three case studies of events that occurred in China.  In addition, the writer depicted the self-censorship that took place after the initial article had been written.

For all three of the case studies, the journalist had taken complete liberty in writing and didn’t self-censor themselves.  Self-censorship was apparent when the article went to the editors.  Despite this, the writer demonstrated that self-censorship could actually enhance themes such as social crises and make them more prominent.  Journalists and editors are able to achieve this by changing connotations of words and making them appear more neutral.  In this way, the writer states that journalists are able to discreetly make their point and also able to do so without harming the public or criticizing the government directly.

This article is relevant to my target audience, specifically professional and student journalists.  This article is credible because it is featured in a scholarly peer-reviewed journal Discourse and Society, by SAGE Publications.  The author, Jingrong Tong has a doctorate in Media and Communication from the University of Westminster of the United Kingdom.  Tong also has a masters’ in Media and Communication from the University of London.  Also the fact that three Chinese newspaper agencies were analyzed also makes this publication credible.

International Communication Gazette

The International Communication Gazette is a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to journalism.  According to their website, the editorial policy follows key issues such as, “to role of communication in world politics and world trade,” relationships between communication and development, theories of “communication policy formation” and planning, and “the development of normative theories in communication studies in conditions of cultural pluralism.”

This journal focuses on international issues primarily.  Whenever possible, it publishes work by writers with an “international reputation and contributions that are of interest to international audiences.”  In order to achieve this, the Gazette will “draw on high-quality work from the international community of communication researchers,” avoid bias, “invite contributions that have an interdisciplinary and comparative scope and demonstrate a sensitivity to cultural pluralism,” encourage new approaches to “theoretical and methodological developments in the communications field,” and “subject submissions to independent peer review.”

Some of the writers of this journal are Bernadette Kester, Naomi Sakr, Joris Juyendijk, Marcel Broersma, and Annelore Deprez.  In addition, the editor in chief is Cees J Hamelink from the University of Amsterdam.  The managing editor is Ester de Waal also from the University from Amsterdam.  Also, there are six associate editors and 28 members on the editorial advisory board.

Although my major is Journalism, I have always loved about immersing myself in various countries.  As I began to take classes in the major, I learned how important the media is for international reporting.  Although locality is key to some news organizations, foreign coverage should not be entirely forgotten.  Also, media and ethics is an interesting issue that we hear about nearly everyday.  To learn about both of these interests, I was immediately drawn to the International Communication Gazette.

Should Journalists draw the line?

Too Many Angles on Suffering?

Patrick Witty utilizes images in his essay in order to support his argument. His argument is that sometimes journalists can be overwhelming in a time of tragedy. Is there a limit to how many journalists should be present at any given time?

Following his introduction, Witty incorporates an image into his argument. The picture depicts several photographers taking a picture of an armed soldier. The image reflects Witty’s words, the image looks very crowded as photographers take pictures of the same subject. The photograph is fairly vivid and uses an array of colors. It doesn’t appear to be altered very much, and this might be to provoke some sort of reality from this picture.

Further down the page, there is an image of a woman who was recovered after being buried under ruble. This image is stimulating and invokes pathos – there are several photographers in this image, and if the picture were allowed to expand endlessly, I am sure there would be several more photographers who are not pictured. The image isn’t altered very much, maybe more saturated for darker colors. However, little alteration may have been incorporated in order to portray the reality of this issue. Clearly, this image uses accumulation and it gives the viewer an stronger impact of the concern.

The typeface of the essay itself is very crisp and makes the words easy to read. The website incorporates contrast: dark gray background with light gray text. Witty uses images where appropriate in order to make his point. The images aren’t simply placed randomly, the images follow his words in order to make a visual support for his argument. As a result, his placement of images create a sense of organization and uses logos.

Blogging and a Journalist’s Success

How a blog can put you on the road to success

This blog attempts to persuade journalists to create and maintain their own blog.  The writer states that having a blog increases your success rate as a journalist.  The rhetorical exigence is that journalists should have a blog in order to better their abilities.  The writer says that if you don’t have a blog – you’re going to miss out on the perks.

Bradshaw presents several examples and notions that support his argument.  He states that having a regularly maintained blog demonstrates commitment to prospective employers.  It also shows that you have adequate knowledge in what you choose to write in, and that you are willing to research topics and provide invaluable information.  Finally, having a blog will help develop a “journalistic style.”  Bloggers will be able to discover their niche and will be learning through their writing, in a do-and-learn type setting.

The writer uses ethos by using credible information and commentary from The Guardian’s head of editorial development, Neil McIntosh.  The Guardian is a credible and recognized news organization located in London.  The blogger also demonstrates ethos as he himself is a journalist.  He has experience in this field and this makes him credible.

The writer does not use much pathos here.  However, he speaks in a calm manner and doesn’t present himself as aggressive.  Instead, his writing comes through as a relationship to his readers, as if he’s trying to give them expert advice on an individual level.  Logos plays an aspect here as the blog is structured in an easy to read manner.

Citizen Journalism

“Citizen journalism and investigative reporting: from journalism schools to retirement communities”

This blog describes the issues surrounding citizen journalism. The term citizen journalism essentially means that citizens are the ones providing the news. The writer explains that sometimes citizen journalism is abused. This results in negative consequences for actual journalists who have gotten a degree at an accredited university. She depicts a situation concerning a citizen journalist who had collected their information in a distasteful manner that would go against the grain of media ethics. Along with deceit, this citizen journalist failed in writing in a fair and unbiased news article. Also, the writer criticized other news organizations, as they tend to over use a citizen’s work without researching the news on their own. Finally, she says that citizen journalism could possibly leave journalists jobless.

The rhetorical situation is clear – citizen journalism can be damaging if used incorrectly. Rather than simply relying on citizens to do the work for a journalist, the writer presents some very concise solutions to the issue. First, the writer recommends that journalists work with citizens and ask questions about what they would like to see. Journalists can then do research correctly and are still doing their job for the public interest. Using the Internet and current technology is another solution, as it is the easiest to get citizen’s to contribute.

The writer backs up their argument by providing successful examples. Since this writer is a professional journalist, this makes ethos credible. The author’s tone is calm, rational, and persuading. By providing alternatives to a problem, they are subtly persuasive rather than taking on a commanding tone. Finally, the structure of this argument is strong, as the writing is fluent for the reader and makes easy transitions.

Retreating from the World

Retreating from the World: The cutback in foreign coverage, and the steep price

“Retreating from the World” is a news article written by Rem Rieder.  The author describes the importance of foreign news and its’ relation to America.  He describes specific examples of “accountability journalism” such as the misconduct of U.S. Marines, which had gone unnoticed until a journalist began to investigate.

According to Rieder, “journalism’s watchdog role has long been crucial.”  Despite this, this delegation doesn’t stop at America’s border, it transcends into foreign news coverage.  Unfortunately, foreign news is something that is becoming increasingly distant in American culture.

Rieder describes the situation: several leading newspaper organizations such as the Boston Globe, and the Baltimore Sun have significantly decreased the amount of their foreign correspondents.  This change can most likely be attributed to the fact that newspaper agencies agree that reporting on local news is key to survive tough economic times.

Many newspaper organizations have left international coverage up to the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and the Wall Street Journal.  Rieder explains that the task of covering foreign news is not easy, and more reporters are needed for this conquest.  He concludes that if America’s news agencies continue this downward trend then its’ readers will suffer a “heavy price.”

To Rieder, he is pressing his audience (Journalists, editors, producers) to take more initiative in foreign coverage.  He states that it is a journalist’s responsibility to seek truth and accountability beyond America’s waters.  He uses the word, “abdicate”, which means to “fail to fulfill or undertake a responsibility or duty”.  He paints a picture for his readers: what would it be like if we didn’t have knowledge to our neighbors?

Rhetorical Situations: Aragon at the Black Gate

Sorry for the low quality of this video, it was the only one I could find that allowed embedding!  I decided to use Aragon’s speech from the Lord of the Rings (Return of the King) series.  The main protagonist, Frodo, is sent to Mordor to destroy an evil ring that would bring destruction to Middle Earth.  Prior to this speech, Aragon and his men had recently won a battle in Gondor.  Although victorious, they realize that they still have a long road ahead of them.  Aragon recognized that it was necessary to distract Sauron (antagonist); otherwise Frodo’s objective would be futile.  If they did not act now, winning the battle would be unavailing, as Sauron and his leagues of soldiers would obliterate them.  As a result, Aragon and his men travel to the Black Gate to challenge Sauron and buy Frodo time.

Aragon readily depicts exigency towards his audience in his speech.  Aragon’s main purpose in his speech is to request the help of his soldiers and wage war. If no one is willing to challenge Sauron and buy Frodo time, humanity itself will be lost.  The exigency described here makes it absolutely necessary for Aragon and his men to fight at Mordor.

In addition, the pathos strategy is used frequently throughout Aragon’s speech.  In the beginning of his speech he says, “I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me.  A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day.”  Aragon relates to his audience by sharing the same fears that he has, and he reassures them that if they can band together as brothers, then there is nothing to fear.  Finally, Aragon carries his words and tone out with valor and audacity.   These aspects were extremely pertinent into inspiring his men while using the pathos strategy.

Aragon displays the ethos factor as the speaker.  He is the heir of Isildur and is the rightful king of Gondor.  Throughout the books and the movies his character is depicted as just and kingly.  In addition, he was a leader in their last battle and was primarily responsible into leading his army to victory in Gondor.  Such authority makes him a strong ethos element.

Finally, I think the logos of this speech can be again attributed for the need of Aragon’s men to lead humanity to victory.  The logical situation would be to challenge Sauron and buy time for Frodo.   I honestly had a tough time to the logos appeal in this speech.  Does anyone see something I do not?

As explained, I believe that this speech portrays a rhetorical situational adequately.  Two of the three appeal schemes shine through and are used prominently.  Aragon uses these appeals to his advantage and he is able to convince his men into battle.  The battle buys just enough time for Frodo to destroy the ring and humanity is saved.

Bitzer’s “The Rhetorical Situation”

In Bitzer’s essay, “The Rhetorical Situation”, he aims to persuade his readers that a rhetorical situation must precede a rhetorical discourse.

As specified by Bitzer, he differentiated between reader and audience.  Bitzer stated that an audience is one that “consists only of those persons who are capable of being influenced by discourse and of being mediators of change.”  According to Bitzer, a reader is capable of listening.  Despite this fact, a reader is not capable of change and does not fit the definition of an audience.

I disagree when Bitzer asserts that scientific and poetic discourse is not rhetorical because neither requires an audience to achieve their goals.  I cannot speak much of poetic discourse, however I have spent three years within the computer science major.  During my time in the major, I realize that it is crucial for any researcher to gain adequate funding.  Many times these scientists have aims that they cannot reach due to finance constraints.  Furthermore, scientists may not have a choice in what they are researching.  For instance, funding is sometimes granted when the scientist consents to put forth their efforts towards a particular subject matter.  For these reasons, not all scientists can achieve their goals simply because of their knowledge.  Without the consent and agreement of the audience, this sometimes is impossible.  Oftentimes, the audience has the decision whether they will give the situation a opportunity for change.

Furthermore, Bitzer states that both scientific and poetic discourse is not rhetorical because neither group is intended to bring change.  I also disagree with this statement as many scientists research for change, such as a change in breast cancer, or even a significant change in technology that would benefit society.  A poet might be writing for change – what of the writer who dedicates their work to political activism and for change?