Lingling Wei, a Wall Street Journal correspondent known for her deep insights into China's economy, shares her unique perspectives on the challenges journalists face today. She reflects on the harrowing Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, emphasizing the courage of reporters amidst chaos. Wei discusses the current restrictions on foreign media in China and the emotional toll it takes on journalists with families there. As the landscape evolves, she highlights the importance of innovative reporting techniques and the ongoing impact of censorship on public discourse.
Richard Roth's firsthand reporting during the Tiananmen Square protests highlights the stark contrast with today's restricted journalistic access in China.
Lingling Wei's expulsion from China exemplifies the personal sacrifices and risks modern journalists face in a climate of suppression.
Deep dives
Dramatic Reporting from Tiananmen Square
In the spring of 1989, American journalist Richard Roth found himself amidst the intense pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square, where he experienced unprecedented freedom of movement as a reporter. Roth and his crew reported on the growing tensions as nearly 200,000 soldiers were mobilized to suppress the protests, resulting in a night of violence on June 3rd. The chaos peaked when Roth, while reporting live by cell phone, was detained by armed soldiers and experienced physical aggression from the authorities. This night marked a tragic turning point, as thousands of deaths occurred in the square, with the brutal suppression of the protests going largely unreported in real-time due to the dangerous situation for journalists on the ground.
Decline of American Journalism in China
Today, the landscape for American correspondents in China has drastically changed, with numbers dwindling from substantial figures to a mere twenty journalists allowed in the country. This decline is attributed to the expulsion of reporters and increasing government censorship, which limits journalists' abilities to operate freely and obtain credible information. Roth reflects on his experience contrasted with that of modern journalists, emphasizing the lack of uncensored access to information that characterized his time. In stark opposition to when he reported, no American journalists currently have unrestricted access to China, highlighting a troubling trend in the suppression of the press.
Ling Ling Wei's Investigative Challenges
Ling Ling Wei, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, shared her painful experience of being expelled from China, where she had previously successfully reported on the economy. As the coronavirus pandemic led to increased tensions between the U.S. and China, many American journalists faced expulsions, including Wei, who was informed late at night that she would have to leave. Wei recounted the emotional challenges of leaving her family behind in China and the fear that her work would endanger their safety. Her experience illustrates the personal sacrifices and risks taken by journalists who attempt to shed light on the complex realities within China.
Evolving Dynamics of Journalism and Information Access
The current climate in China poses significant obstacles for foreign journalists seeking to report on vital topics such as economic shifts and political dynamics. The suppression of independent journalism has removed the nuanced perspectives that were once accessible from sources within China, creating a one-dimensional view of the nation's complexities. Journalists now struggle to find trustworthy contacts and gather firsthand accounts due to an environment riddled with fear and surveillance, preventing effective reporting. The drastic reduction in American correspondents has not only hindered their ability to capture the real stories unfolding within China but also risks a distorted narrative emerging globally, further complicating the relationship between the United States and China.
There are few American journalists reporting from inside China today. But that has not always been the case. In fact, American journalists in China freely reported on one of the biggest stories of recent history: the Chinese army’s massacre of protestors in Tiananmen Square in 1989. In this episode, we talk to Richard Roth, a CBS correspondent who was there during the 1989 protests. We feature Lingling Wei, the distinguished Wall Street Journal correspondent who was kicked out of China, along with other American reporters. How are journalists today reporting on China from afar? At this vital time, how do we get on the ground reporting from China when we can’t be on the ground?
Guest: Lingling Wei, Wall Street Journal, Chinese born journalist now in New York
Book Recommendations:
Assignment China: An Oral History of American Journalists in the People’s Republic by Mike Chinoy
Chasing Hope: A Reporter’s Life by Nicholas Kristof.
Sound design, original score, mixing and mastering by Rowhome Productions. Rowhome’s Creative Director is Alex Lewis. John Myers is Rowhome’s Executive Producer.
