China Ink

Book excerpt: This lively book explores individual and societal changes in contemporary China through the compelling personal accounts of young Chinese journalists. China's media are central to public life in the most populous nation on earth, and have also become increasingly relevant to communication and understanding on a global scale. Through a series of engaging oral histories, Judy Polumbaum puts a human face on vital political and philosophical issues of freedom of expression and information that will shape China's future. The author's extended and frank conversations with journalists from a range of news outlets reveal diversity, passion, humor, and optimism that belie the stereotype of journalists as cogs in a rigidly controlled machine. Neither dissidents nor paragons but rather people working day in and day out within China's existing and evolving media, these talented and ambitious reporters open new windows to understanding Chinese journalism and intellectual life. Some of their tales could happen only in China; others will resonate with readers everywhere. As the first book to explore experiences and ideas of everyday journalists who are helping to shape their rapidly changing country, this unique and timely work will appeal to all those interested in China's dynamic society.