Magazine staff take stand against editorial interference

By IFJ/IFEX
Nov 11, 2009 – 9:41:34 PM

(IFJ/IFEX) – November 11, 2009 – The International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ) is concerned about editorial integrity and managerial
interference at Caijing business magazine in China after its
editor-in-chief resigned on November 9.

Hu Shuli, 56, resigned after 70 employees from the magazine’s marketing
department, including nine executives and general manager Wu Chuanhui, quit
last month.

According to local news reports, the magazine’s managing editor, Wang Shuo,
and 30 writers and editors also tendered resignations. More resignations of
editorial staff are expected.

Chinese authorities reportedly reprimanded the magazine for at least eight
articles this year and directed it to “return to positive reporting on
finance and economics,” according to a report in the International Herald
Tribune.

The IFJ has learnt that members of Caijing’s management board tried to
influence the editorial team, after the board was pressured by the
magazine’s parent company, the Stock Exchange Executive Council and other
government-controlled groups.

Pressure on Caijing reportedly intensified after Hu sent three journalists
to cover ethnic-based riots in Urumqi, the capital of China’s Xinjiang
Uyghur Autonomous Region, in early July, despite Central Propaganda
Department orders banning journalists in the area.

Articles published by Caijing about a new wave of violence and riots in
Xinjiang in September reportedly used only government-provided information.

“An independent editorial department is essential to ensure the integrity
and professionalism of any media outlet,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White
said.

“The stand taken by journalists and members of the editorial staff at
Caijing indicate the courage and commitment of many mainland journalists to
resist and denounce editorial interference as they seek to defend press
freedom despite working in a heavily censored and controlled media
environment.”

The IFJ stands in solidarity with Hu Shuli and all journalists and staff at
Caijing in taking a stand to defend the magazine’s professional integrity.

http://www.ifex.org/china/2009/11/11/caijing_staff/