Appointed interview with president Obama troubles Southern Weekly

By Han Jie
Nov 20, 2009 – 10:37:50 AM

During President Obama’s visit in China, Southern Weekly was appointed, by the president himself, to do an exclusive interview with him.

Southern Weekly was once identified and praised by the New York Times of ‘sometimes known for its push-the-envelope approach to the government’s ever-present censorship’ and ‘having a reputation for occasionally tackling subjects other state-run media outlets decline to examine.’ While the world was hoping Southern Weekly bringing a profound article about Obama and a hit to the globe, Southern Weekly disappointed everyone.

Boxun’s exclusive report reveals the inside story of the incident.

It was said that the Publicity Ministry had refused the proposal of arranging the talks between president Obama and Southern Weekly many times before the president requested Chairman Hu commending the Publicity Ministry to carry out the plan.

Instructions from the Publicity Ministry to Southern Weekly indicated the newspaper should only ask one question, a question about Southern Weekly. A list with assigned questions was also given to the editor, implying government’s censorship towards media has been tightened.

The interview between president Obama and editor of Southern Weekly only lasted for 10 minuets.

Southern Weekly expressed its opinions of this incident by putting a slogan on the front page saying ‘understand China by reading’, indirectly indicating audients might be reading government’s control over media instead of actual news stories.

Source told Boxun that the Publicity Ministry plan to ‘punish’ Southern Weekly on how it handle president Obama’s interview. However, the top leaders might not agree with the Ministry’s act.

Original report in Chinese:

http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2009/11/200911202003.shtml