Chapter 398 397 [Professional Ethics]
Zhou Hexuan pushed open the window, overlooking Wangping Street (later Shandong Middle Road) condescendingly. This short street is active all day long, from dawn to midnight, it is noisy until night, no matter men, women, old or young, the street is full of people selling newspapers.
This is where newspaper offices in Shanghai gather, and the price of newspapers is relatively cheap. Some people come here to buy newspapers on foot, and many newsboys buy here. Especially at dawn every day, when "Shenbao" and "News" are published, it is like a torrent passing over Wangping Street and venting towards several nearby streets.
"Shanghai's newspaper industry is really prosperous." Zhou Hexuan couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Shi Liangcai walked up to Zhou Hexuan, looked at the street scene below, and said with a smile, "It's all developed little by little. Eighteen years ago, when I took over "Shenbao", Wangping Street was still relatively remote, and even outside A wasteland."
Zhou Hexuan smiled miserably: "Boss Shi, I suddenly thought of Huang Yuansheng and Shao Piaoping. It's not easy for people who run newspapers."
"It's not easy. Both of you are the backbone of the Chinese journalists." Shi Liangcai said with emotion.
Huang Yuansheng died during the reign of Yuan Shikai. He firmly opposed Yuan Shikai's proclaiming himself emperor. He fled to the United States in order to avoid the pursuit of the Beiyang government, which resulted in even greater misunderstandings.
Huang Yuansheng's English name is Yuan-Yung Huang (黄元尸), after being reported by American newspapers, he was mistaken for Yuan Shikai's confidant clan (Yuan, Yuan has the same pronunciation), and he made a special trip to the United States to help Yuan Shikai advocate the title of emperor.
So Huang Yuan died, and was assassinated by the Revolutionary Party. The assassination order came from Sun Yat-sen, and Lin Sen, the later chairman of the Nanjing National Government, was in charge of commanding.
After the killing, it was discovered that the killing was wrong. The revolutionary party killed the revolutionary party and poured dirty water on Yuan Shikai.
So much so that the mainstream opinion now believes that Yuan Shikai killed Huang Yuansheng, who was also known as "China's first truly modern reporter" and became a model for countless newspapermen during the Republic of China. Even in the 21st century, the news textbooks of New China still use the theory that Yuan Shikai assassinated Huang Yuansheng.
Of course Zhou Hexuan would not help Yuan Shikai to seek justice. Sun Yat-sen, the main messenger, is now the father of the nation, and Lin Sen, the commander, is also an important member of the Nationalist Party. Their murder was mainly due to a misunderstanding. Moreover, if Huang Yuansheng did not go far to the United States, he would most likely be murdered by Yuan Shikai if he stayed in China, or at least be arrested and imprisoned.
But it is undeniable that Huang Yuansheng's death is a benchmark, standing like a monument in the newspaper circles of the Republic of China, inspiring countless newspapermen of the Republic of China to fight for democracy and freedom.
Huang Yuansheng died at the hands of "Yuan Shikai", Shao Piaoping died at the hands of Zhang Zuolin, and Shi Liangcai was about to die at the hands of Chang Kaishen. It seems that no matter which dictator holds power, there will be journalists who want to "sacrifice" for it.
Zhou Hexuan said: "China newspapers must have their own organization."
"Does Mr. Zhou have a charter?" Shi Liangcai asked.
Zhou Hexuan took out a manuscript and said: "Mr. Shi, please take a look. If there are any omissions, you can still correct them."
Shi Liangcai took it over and read it carefully, and saw that the planning book was very complete, with details such as the "Manifesto of the China Newspaper Association" and "The Charter of the China Newspaper Association".
What Shi Liangcai felt most recognized was that Zhou Hexuan also defined the newspaper and summed up an "industry ethics":
"Newspapers have four attributes,
First: political attributes. It is a basic journalism principle that newspapers are tools of politics. However, no matter which party's newspaper it is, it should follow the most basic principle, that is, it must not betray the country or the interests of the people, otherwise it will be a traitor to the country.
Second, news attributes. Newspapers are the carrier of news dissemination, which is the most fundamental value of newspapers. News reports should be based on facts, and should not be distorted or fabricated indiscriminately. This is the professional ethics of all journalists.
Third, cultural attributes. Newspapers are the carrier of cultural dissemination and a sharp tool for improving national quality and broadening national horizons. Newspapers should not violate social morality, should not promote negative and low-level views, and should not advocate vulgar and licentious atmosphere.
Fourth, commodity attributes. Newspapers are also commodities, and commodities naturally pursue profit. However, newspapers should not be ungrateful for profit, should not use people's money to eliminate disasters for others, and should not publish false advertisements indiscriminately for advertising fees.
The professional ethics of journalists can be summed up in twelve words: do not betray the country, tell the truth, abide by morality, and put righteousness first. "
Shi Liangcai couldn't help admiring: "Mr. Zhou is a great idea. The four attributes of a newspaper you have summarized summarize all the characteristics that a newspaper should have. The professional ethics of journalists derived from this should also be regarded as the industry standard for all journalists." , Mr. Zhou is really the number one theoretician in the newspaper industry."
Zhou Hexuan said: "I will ask someone to contact the newspapers in the northern region. The southern region is going to ask Mr. Shi. Let's join hands and join hands for a grand event!"
"Hahaha, it's a great honor for Shi to participate in the event." Shi Liangcai laughed loudly.
The next day, "Shenbao", "News", and "Ta Kung Pao" released information at the same time, calling on colleagues in the newspaper industry to jointly establish the "China Newspaper Association", and published Zhou Hexuan's definition of the four major attributes of newspapers, as well as the newspapermen's "Twelve-Character Professional Ethics".
Due to the great influence of the three major newspapers, it immediately aroused enthusiastic responses from all walks of life, and cultural celebrities expressed their support for it. "Morning News", "New Tianjin News", "Yishi Daily", "Dongfang Daily", "Northeast Daily", "West China Daily", "Jinyang Daily" and other newspapers across the country also published editorial responses one after another. During the period, they gathered in Shanghai to discuss the establishment of the "China Press Association".
The industry guild is actually a collection of interests. One is to maintain the order of the industry internally, and the other is to protect the interests of the industry externally.
Just like businessmen organizing chambers of commerce, only when they have strength can they resist foreigners and the government. When they are wronged, everyone joins together to make trouble, and even foreigners and the government have to bow their heads.
No, Chen Dezheng, who has always been mad at the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce, was detained and placed under house arrest by Chang Kaishen a few days ago. This is the Nanjing government's surrender to the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce.
Since the late Qing Dynasty, Chinese newspapers have often been suppressed by the government. Now that someone initiates the establishment of a trade association, countless newspapers immediately want to join, nothing more than to strengthen their own strength.
What Zhou Hexuan and Shi Liangcai didn't expect was that the major newspapers of the Nationalist Party would also want to get involved, and even want to control the soon-to-be-established newspaper association.
After discussions between Zhou Hexuan and Shi Liangcai, they decided to set up "dual headquarters" and set up the two headquarters of the Newspaper Association in Shanghai and Tianjin respectively. Even if the National Party wants to join, it will be difficult to reach out to the north.
The Nationalist Party wants to use the newspaper association to control the newspaper industry, and the newspaper industry can also use local forces to resist the Nationalist Party.
For example, if the Nanjing government wants to deal with the newspapers in Shanghai, the newspapers in Shanxi, Northeast China, and Guangdong and Guangxi can stand up and help speak out. These are places beyond Chang Kaishen's reach.
By that time, the Nationalist Party will have to weigh things carefully, and if they want to assassinate Shi Liang, they will have to think more about the consequences.