Full Text: Li Datong's Memo

The following letter was posted by Li Datong on his newspaper's computer system on Aug. 15, 2005:

A Letter to Editor-in-Chief Li Erliang and the Editorial Board On the New Evaluation Regulations at China Youth Daily

Editor-in-chief Li Erliang and the current editorial board :

This week you assigned each news department in the newspaper to collect opinions on the new assesment rules, all to be completed within one week. On August 20, they were to be implemented accordingly. Even though at the time not a single department director had seen them, the minutes of the editorial board meeting stated that the committee had already approved the plan. Talking to itself, it added, "Its guidance is clear, principles plain, regulations distinct, with extensive coverage, and possessing strong focus and usability," and other fulsome praise. This demonstrates that you and the editorial board were not prepared to seriously discuss and amend these regulations that touch upon the news work of the China Youth Daily, the basic standards of journalistic evaluation at the paper, and the interests of all employees at the paper. The so-called collection of opinions was undoubtedly just to let everyone haggle over how many "points" they can get.

Supposedly, most of the editorial board first learned of the goals and details of these guidelines just before the meeting began. If these weighty and detailed regulations were passed in a trifling, two-to-three-hour meeting, it could be called a management miracle. I also learned that these regulations are practically your own masterpiece, "very different" from the document drafted by assistant publisher Wen Xin after a great deal of research. Certainly, you made large qualitative changes to the "Wen Xin Plan." Equally astounding, party group secretary Wang Hongyou, who bears complete responsibility for the management of this newspaper, was not present at the high-level discussion of these important guidelines. Unexpectedly, it did not require his participation.

On the afternoon of Monday, August 8, these regulations were posted on our internal network. When the paper's employees had a first look at its pretty face, it caused a mighty uproar. Because I was busy preparing articles, I had no time to examine them in detail. When we finished publishing on Wednesday, and the departments began discussing them, I finally began to carefully review these regulations. After carefully reading them, my shock and indignation were difficult to express...

The first part of the core of these regulations is regarding the standards for evaluating this newspaper. It is not set according to Marxism's journalistic principles and the basic aims of the party; nor is it set according to spirit of General Secretary Hu Jintao -- "Power is for the people to use; benefits are for the people to seek; feelings are connected to the people." Nor is it set according to whether the great readership is satisfied, but rather the standards are forced to depend upon the likes and dislikes of a small number of higher organs and officials. The second part uses the giving and withholding of rewards to completely destroy the journalistic values of the China Youth Daily, a paper with fine traditions in the newspaper industry. The people of the China Youth Daily have traditionally promoted social development, protected social justice and the interests of the masses, had great enthusiasm for promoting reform and abhorred corrupt officials and all kinds of corruption in society. They have diligently transmitted meaningful thoughts and taken historical responsibility with a clear ideology. Now they have been debased by this weekly scheme, with workers wrangling for to get "points" for themselves. Because the number of people who can receive points is extremely limited, the real power is not held by some third party that ensures an "impartial process," nor is it held by the readership, but rather by decision of superior officials at every level. This will unavoidably create a malignant situation of servility to superior officials, as well as open and secret struggles within departments.

Without doubt, the enslavement and vulgarization of the employees of the China Youth Daily is being implemented, systematically and according to conventional procedures, under your leadership (in the name of the editorial committee). Now, it will finally be written boastfully into the assessment document -- and this is a rare and systematic document attempting to completely subvert the spirit and values of the China Youth Daily.

Let's look at some of its clauses!

Awarding points:

(3) In the monthly readers' survey, the authors of the top three most frequently read articles will receive 50 points per article. For fourth through tenth, each author will receive thirty points per article.

(4) In the monthly readers' survey, the top three most frequently read sections will receive 50 points. From fourth to tenth, starting with 30 points, each will receive three points less.