Sep 28, 2007, 12.00am IST
BEIJING: The Chinese official multimedia news agency, Xinhua, boasts 75 million stories and two million photographs in its kitty, the largest Chinese media database in the world. Tian Congmin, Xinhua head, talks to Narayani Ganesh on how the media in China is perceived and the need to create greater confidence and trust:
Q: With our political systems so different, how do you see any future media collaboration between India and China?
We are confident of the growing future relationship between India and China. Because of historical setbacks and popular perceptions, credibility of our news is doubted to a certain degree. That's why our media should develop direct exchanges, for instance, by subscribing to each other. Through the Internet, the two countries can know more about each other quickly and clearly.
Q: What kind of news from India interests China?
We're interested in all kinds of development news, especially in the software industry. There is a tendency for the western media to dominate news space here, but that is slowly changing. We are a developing country, and so our media technology is still trying to catch up with the West. We need to invite more foreign correspondents to China to help change misconceived perceptions of our country. For instance, only when you actually visit Tibet your impressions will change...
Q: Can top-down news dissemination improve credibility?
Our correspondents are expected to report with social responsibility. There are different concepts of democracy; you cannot apply the same policy in different countries. I don't agree that China is not a democratic country. It's a culture campaign. The Chinese concept of democracy has its own character; it's not a simple concept. Does it work well? That's the test. The time has passed when it was thought that if you follow certain countries, then you are a democracy. The basic standard of a good political system is that the people benefit.
Q: What is your record in reporting on human rights and the environment?
Our aim is to be true, objective and socially responsible. We have plans to launch media campaigns that have social relevance. Our focus is on the three things that affect us: economic liberalisation, science and technology and media competition. Readers should feel that Xinhua's news stories are credible. Already, we have subscribers in 195 countries.
Q: Is language a communication barrier?
China has developed a long-term policy of opening up to the rest of the world. What's important is learning more languages to communicate with foreigners effectively — not just English but also French, Arabic, Russian, Spanish... Xinhua has cover stories in seven foreign languages. China Radio International broadcasts in more than a hundred languages.
