By Editorial Board
Issue 615, Apr 15, 2013
News, cover
Translated by Zhu Na
Original article: [Chinese]

When we claim to be media people, what does it mean? It means that we’re not impulsive, not hypocritical, not low-brow and not destructive.

12 years ago when the first issue was printed, the founders of Economic Observer used these words to define the paper’s character.

We also say that the media is responsible for this era. We firmly believe that the reporters who share the same destiny as the times they live in have certain characteristics. They throw themselves into the wave of their era with great enthusiasm, but are careful, vigilant and prudent. They scrupulously abide by the principles of objectively, fairly document the changes of their era and undertake the role of recording history on their own initiative. They always remain aware and rational, even at moments of great agitation. They dare to speak calmly and independently, even when it presents a huge risk. 

Apr 16 was the anniversary of the founding of Economic Observer. 12 years after being established, we’d like to look back over our time and share our thoughts with readers.

This era we were born into may not be the best, but it’s certainly not the worst. We treasure everything we’ve experienced, regardless of whether it’s been painful, happy, sorrowful or joyous. 

This of course isn’t just one media outlet’s personal history. We’re in a period of transition. The reality of China’s reform is that there are ups and downs and countless missteps. And the hardest part of reform is breaking old patterns, because no one is willing to give up their vested interests.

Therefore, any plan for breaking the old pattern not only needs courage, but also wisdom.

But courage plus wisdom doesn’t mean that everything can be easily solved. In the past, many reforms have been unsuccessful because reformers romanticized them. They thought that with courage and planning, complex reforms could be carried out relatively quickly.

There are many people who call for reform and discuss policies, but there are very few who dare take responsibility, suffer and bear the trials involved in the reform process.

There’s nothing romantic about reform. It’s like dripping water wearing down stone. It takes long-term persistence and the tenacity to never give up, even when it seems like a hopeless cause.

A media outlet that’s willing to take responsibility will certainly share the same fate and breathe the same air as the era it lives in. We always believe that this is the era that can decide the future. All the dreams that China has for the future depend on what you and I do today.

In an era where the internet can penetrate every aspect of life, there are more and more channels for gaining information. But the difference between a responsible media and simple disseminators of information always lies in the fact that media must have social responsibility and the courage to confront lies. Media sees reporting facts as its fundamental mission. It’s by no means just a bystander in its era.

People are willing to trust media because it doesn’t have any privileges. It holds an invisible agreement with the public. It promises to report news that the people should be informed of, regardless of which interests it agitates. Even if some unforeseen fate lurks behind the truth, it can’t be avoided, for that would be breaking the promise. The bottom line for reporters is that they won’t flatter those they report on, nor will they make compromises for fear of angering a subject.

Needless to say, sometimes the media must also keep silent. Silence is a kind of attitude. Just continuing to exist is often a difficult commitment to make. But it’s a valuable one, because as long as you’re still here, you’ll always have the possibility to speak out - even when it means suffering for doing so. 

The worst outcome would be people aren’t able to learn from the media about the very era they’re living through - that pretense and lies drip in amongst the words and in between the lines. If media gives up its responsibility, then it loses trust and respect.

It’s been said that the greatest distance is that between us and the truth. We believe in strictly adhering to the truth and patiently waiting for it. Truth cannot be buried, nor can it be twisted.

The press in every era has its own responsibility.  No matter how the methods of communication change, responsibility is the media’s most basic starting point, as well as its ultimate pursuit.