A short talk on journalism

China Daily 
By Andrea Deng 
Published: February 9, 2011 

A Ph.D. from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, Mr Clement Y. K. So specializes his studies in Hong Kong's press ecology, decoding the city's mutual influence between social environment and news media practices. Every year since 1990, Professor So operates or co-operates a survey on local journalists to understand the status quo of media professionalism, media credibility, self-censorship etc. Cautiously sustaining a researcher's point of view, Prof So finds the reality different from pundit or public presumption on the influence on the city's media industry imposed by political and social climate. Meanwhile, as the industry has long been floundering to seek for sound business models, the prospect of working as journalists looks dim for many, driving young people away.

Prof. Clement Y. K. So

Yet Prof So encourages the learning of journalistic skills not only for the sake of the profession itself, but to learn basic skills that can be employed in the long run. 

On press ecology 

In 2007, Prof So together with his colleague Joseph M. Chan issued a research paper with findings that after ten years of handover, local journalists showed greater respect and compliance to journalistic professionalism. 

Statistics showed that a few valued criteria had not been changed over the decade; such basic journalistic criteria of reportage included accurately reporting news, quick in delivering news, precluding dissemination of rumors as well as analyzing and explaining complex issues. Meanwhile, more journalists value the mission to educate and function as the mouthpiece for the general public, and get tougher on questioning policy-making circles.

The finding was attributed to "the proliferation of journalism education, the entrenchment of press freedom in Hong Kong's political culture, the journalists' need for a self-defense and survival strategy, and the media market as a balancing force of political pressure." 

"Our research found feedback from the public truly reflected the performances of individual news media," said Prof So. "While media bosses sometimes slanted news reporting to cater to 'some particular group of people', the market is at work, and public feedback drives media bosses to re-consider their pressure and predilection." 

On media practitioners

Nevertheless, the overall media performance had been unsatisfactory in Hong Kong as almost anywhere else in the world. Prof So admits a negative view towards the outlook of the flagging industry. Much as the news media still plays an important part in sustaining social justice and unfolding problems in Hong Kong, the social status of journalists have been steadily declining. An increasing number of journalists attribute low salaries as the most important factor accounting for forsaking the career, while seeking luck in other careers such as commerce and public relations. 

But the reason for the high turnover within the industry also lies in the fact that Hong Kong's society is much more certain than decades ago when public and media alike cared more about the city's uncertain outlook, and the information deliverers were highly respected. 

"I don't think that the social status of journalists could get better in a near future. Some people even doubt if newspaper would disappear in a decade," said Prof So, adding that Hong Kong's economic performance also influences the industry. "The market is too small in Hong Kong." 

"Therefore, it requires huge passion and a strong sense of social responsibility to be a journalist," said Prof So. He observes that some of the young reporters not working as hard as the past generations, who appeared much more strenuous and enterprising. 

On journalism studies

Despite the dim view, Prof So still encourages more students choosing journalism programs. On one hand, a few years of journalistic experience could offer great helps in understanding the society and establishing social connection. Even for students who do not want to be journalists, with strictly trained language skills, communication skills, analytical skills and so on, students should be able to contribute in other professions. 

"Metaphorically speaking, our students may not be skilled in sprint, but life is not a sprint anyway. Even if they would not be journalists, they should be outstanding in other professions, and have contribution to the society with their way of thinking," said Prof So. 

He said that young people in general should plan their career with a long range vision and lay a solid foundation for further pursuits, instead of being utilitarians and constantly changing jobs. 

More academic and practical choices

Last year, the School of Journalism and Communication at the Chinese University of Hong Kong celebrated its 45th anniversary. The school prided itself on offering more choices for student exchange programs and destinations, founding new academic journals, holding several international seminars, and mapping out new courses. Less noticeably, a closer and closer engagement with the outside world seems to be well under way.

The two signature publications U Beat and Varsity, which have constantly stirred public reactions with their news stories, continue to publish feature stories covering social issues ranging from city planning, income gap, public health, and art spaces, among others. Some of the stories even broached issues across the border, or sent from overseas students on exchange programs.

Students have been getting together with students from other schools to discuss current issues every other week. They worked with local pop singers to organize concerts calling for environmental protection. They also have opportunities to go to the Chinese mainland, reporting on the Olympic Games and conferences of National People's Congress, or to Taiwan reporting on the "presidential" elections.

The school's Director Mr Clement Y. K. So said, "people use to have the misperception that the journalism school in CUHK only stresses theories, however, we do want our students to strike a balance."