Happy Journalism Day

I had to find out via Shanghaiist that today is apparently “Journalist Day” in China – whatever that means. Not a word was mentioned about “Journalist Day” in my “newsroom,” but that could be that they were to busy gossiping and eating to really care. Plus they kind of know better than to give credence to this obviously superfluous holiday.
 
“Journalism Day” does seem like a bit of a cop out. Investigative journalism is risky and dangerous. While a reporter in the US could risk their repoire with a company or the government or a publication could risk advertising revenue, investigative reporters here risk their safety and lives to uncover the wrongdoings of corporations or local governments (but never the central government; never, never, never)
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While I haven’t necessarily tried to bring down a company, I still have had difficulties getting information that I needed for a story. People just didn’t want to share how much they had spent (wasted) on all those pretty Haibaos (the Expo mascot) littered throughout the city. And when a Chinese colleague tried to help me she even said they were wondering why we wanted to know this information. In her words “I don’t think this is a sensitive subject, but they seem to think it is.” Ah well, I didn’t want to devote a whole article to that joke of a mascot anyway.

I don’t know what the point is for “Journalism Day” but I don’t think it is to encourage investigative (or any kind of) reporter to search and try to dig out compelling stories, ask the hard questions and try to change or shape the dialogue for important issues. Nope, instead they just want us reporters to take that Hongbao and be grateful.

Here is another story worth a read.

See you later Expo

When I opened my window on Monday morning the most telling sign that Shanghai’s six month party, otherwise known as “the Expo” was over was not the fewer commuters on the metro; it was not the shorter wait times when I went to lunch; it was not the slight ease of getting a taxi; it was the brown, stagnant haze that lingered over the city… for about three days.
 
Well, at least it’s over. Shanghai’s party/fair/waste of billions of dollars finally ended on Sunday. (I know, I’m a little late for a post-Expo blog post, but I will blame it on my Internet – or lack there of –in my apartment.)
 
Anyway, it’s kind of a relief that this thing is over. While its “success” is arguable, it was undoubtedly a nuisance to Shanghai residents and travelers. Subways were packed almost all day long. And when my dad’s hotel reservations were messed up during his trip to Shanghai his options were to pay close to $1,000 for a hotel room, stay in a “flea bag” Chinese hotel or stay with me. Now I know I need to get a more comfortable sofa.
 
And now I don’t have to edit any more superfluous articles that are Chinese journalistic feats – oh wait yes I do.
 
I really liked this NY Times article about the Expo ending and thought it was pretty spot on. But then there was this post from another American correspondent in Shanghai who I thought was also correct in his analysis of how US media missed the mark on covering the Expo. What is important to the Chinese is not always in line with what Americans (or foreigners in general) think should be important when it comes to China. But of course the angles that he proposes would have been perhaps a little too tricky for my paper.
 
I realize most of you readers are in the US and your only knowledge of the Expo was from this blog (or maybe a clip on TV? I don’t know). But it was a big deal for China and the Chinese. And while I wouldn’t necessarily like for it to come back tomorrow, I would like the fresher air and bluer skies to return.