When fake reporters demand bribes there's a problem with journalism

By Wang Yong  |   2008-11-5  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

WHEN a watchdog no longer watches because it has been fed a bone, it must be kicked out of the pack of the watchful.

It's shameful that nearly 30 journalists - two were formally licensed and the rest were fakes - swarmed into the office of a coal mine in Huobao, Shanxi Province, in an extortion attempt.

They tried to collect and even demand a gag fee to cover up a mine accident in September in which one miner died.

The All China Journalists Association issued a statement on October 31, condemning the "black sheep."

As the case is under investigation, the identity of the two licensed journalists was not immediately reported. If past experience is any guide, they will be fired and could face criminal charges.

In 2002, 11 journalists - all licensed - were found to have taken bribes from a mine elsewhere in Shanxi Province to cover up an accident in which 38 miners perished.

Four journalists from Xinhua news agency were also involved - they were either fired or given Party warnings.

Most journalists are not extortionists, of course.

In fact, in both cases mentioned, journalists of integrity exposed the mine accident and the mass hush money scandal - that took courage.

There are always honorable professionals. But let's not downplay the negative impact of the "few" black sheep.

Lu Yiran, chief editor of Shanghai Journalism Review, said in a commentary published in Wenhui Daily on October 31: "However few licensed journalists there are, they are real journalists. However unreal those fake journalists are, they are part of the problem in which Chinese journalism finds itself."

Indeed, why did impostors disguise themselves as real journalists if real journalists never accepted bribes?