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Chinese-style pragmatic objectivity in war reporting

Zhang, Shixin Ivy

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Authors

Shixin Ivy Zhang



Abstract

China plays an increasing role in the wars and conflicts around the world with its expanding political and economic interests overseas, and its diplomatic role in international affairs. More and more Chinese journalists go to the frontlines overseas to cover distant conflicts for domestic audiences. Based on semi-structured in-depth interviews with sixteen Chinese correspondents who have covered conflicts outside China, this study examines Chinese journalists’ perceptions and reflections on objectivity in the war zones. The author adopts a term of Chinese-style pragmatic objectivity to mean that objectivity is a convenient approach for Chinese journalists to do war journalism in the field. At the level of objectivity-as-a- value, objectivity is defined as a pragmatic value and a practical ritual for Chinese journalists to do news within the scope they can reach, to protect themselves from criticisms, and to justify their version of the truth. It promotes allegiance and patriotism. At the level of objectivity-as-a-practice, objectivity in war coverage is compromised by China’s foreign policies, military constraints, the press’s political orientations and editorial polices, and journalists’ personal experiences and values. Chinese journalists use Chinese-style objectivity to negotiate their roles in the power struggle with the state, foreign militaries, the newsroom and journalists.

Citation

Zhang, S. I. (2015). Chinese-style pragmatic objectivity in war reporting. Asian Journal of Communication, 25(2), https://doi.org/10.1080/01292986.2014.944925

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 2, 2014
Online Publication Date Oct 8, 2014
Publication Date Apr 30, 2015
Deposit Date Nov 9, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Asian Journal of Communication
Print ISSN 0129-2986
Electronic ISSN 0129-2986
Publisher Routledge
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 25
Issue 2
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/01292986.2014.944925
Keywords China; war correspondents; objectivity; constraints
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/748949
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1080/01292986.2014.944925
Additional Information This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Asian Journal of Communication on 08/10/2014, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01292986.2014.944925

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