Challenging Media Bias: Making Truth the Standard in News

 A few days ago, in the conclusion of my open letter to China News Weekly, I wrote, "Finally, I would like to say to those friends who, after reading the reports, take a stand with Meixue Bingcheng (a fictional city): Kindness can help some people, but only institutions can help everyone."

Some friends who have read the original text may find the ending abrupt. It was initially intended as an open letter to the magazine, so why did it suddenly shift focus to ordinary people? Firstly, as a non-professional in the media industry, I cannot provide them with more professional advice; I can only touch upon the subject. Secondly, the only requirement we have for all news media now is to not be so biased next time. However, achieving this goal cannot be accomplished solely through one article. The most crucial factor is for readers, viewers, and netizens to possess higher discernment and thinking abilities, vote with their feet, and compel news media to improve their professional standards. We need news that is valuable, closer to the truth, and stands the test of time, as well as the elimination of unscrupulous practitioners, reducing sensational headlines and the prevalence of news that seeks to pander to the crowd.

Achieving this is not easy, but it is not impossible either. The realization of any vision requires answering two questions: Why? How?

Why would the media engage in such manipulative reporting to manipulate public opinion and vie for attention? The most important reason is that sensational and counterintuitive news generates better statistics. People enjoy reading such content because it is detached from their work and daily lives, often with little direct impact on their interests, and it seems to require no cost. In such cases, many people tend to vent their emotions irresponsibly based on one-sided reports, drawing conclusions without thoughtful consideration, and then promptly forgetting about it. Ultimately, they become "internet trolls" in numerous instances of counterproductive news without realizing it, only to complain about the media's lack of responsibility.

Do the media have a responsibility? Certainly. As in the case of child labor, if there were an objective and neutral media outlet, it would report both the store manager's version of events and seek official statements, even if it was only confirmed with the phrase "under verification." This would fundamentally dispel misunderstandings such as "law enforcement is heartless, and the girl's whereabouts are unknown," which emerged from April 8 and lasted nearly a week.

Now, as the dust settles, when we review the entire incident, we can see not only the truth of the news but also the true face of various media outlets. As of today (May 1, 2022), the media/individuals with follow-up reports on Douyin (a Chinese social media platform) are ranked by the number of likes as follows: vista看天下、长江日报、《电商》杂志社、抚州发布、小记杨威.... On the other hand, those with one-sided reports and no follow-ups include: 闪电视频、封面新闻、主持人程皓、百姓关注、浪涨小青岛...

The absence of follow-up reports does not signify much. It simply offers a silent reference answer to questions like, "Do they care about the same things as we do? Will they provide us with the truth? Are they one of the news parties involved or a neutral third party?" At least in this matter, if someone abandons their efforts halfway and leaves it unfinished, it indicates that they are not genuinely concerned about the girl but are merely chasing after traffic. The next time they report, we should question their credibility. As for those media outlets with complete reports, we can consider trusting them next time since they have.After all, they followed through this time.

But as an audience, regardless of which media outlet's report we encounter, when faced with explosive news, especially those that violate human nature, manipulate our emotions, and make our blood boil, we must refrain from hastily expressing our emotions. Instead, take a deep breath, calm down, and ask ourselves a question: What if it's fake? And to determine the truth, we only need to adhere to a simple principle: Listen to all sides to gain clarity, while being wary of biased beliefs. Until all involved parties have spoken and presented sufficient evidence, we should not easily trust any one side. We must maintain a cautious attitude, avoiding the embarrassment of being caught off guard when the truth emerges. It is crucial to remember our role: We are merely observers, not the parties involved, let alone judges, not judges, not judges!

I know this is challenging, especially in today's news landscape where many stories lack follow-up. If we continually suppress our emotions while waiting for the truth, which often fails to materialize, it can be overwhelming for anyone. However, if we can free ourselves from the constraints of space and the flow of time, and look back at our present selves from the future's perspective, perhaps we will realize that our current emotions and the so-called truth are not as significant as we think. How many of us still remember the shocking news of the 广州幼儿园体罚学生吐血事件、秦皇岛救人男孩牺牲事件、鲍某明性侵事件? And what roles did we play in those different stages?

Therefore, we don't need to suppress our emotions, nor should we oppose our sense of justice. Instead, we should learn to reconcile. Replace anger with understanding and take action to strive for a future without regrets. Learn to see our position from a higher perspective and look toward the present moment from the future's vantage point.

In practical terms, without the involvement of governmental authorities, we should approach all news cases with extreme caution to avoid becoming the person who offers unsolicited advice a thousand times and ends up being a bridesmaid/groomsman. We can't even accurately gauge the thoughts of those around us, so how can we expect to deduce the truth from a few words in the media? Accepting the fact that we are ordinary individuals is not shameful at all. What is shameful is being deceived and causing harm to unfamiliar strangers, becoming an online troll or part of an internet mob in a news reversal. Often, once a nail is driven in, even if it is pulled out, there remains a hole that cannot be filled.

However, in explosive news cases where one party involves the government, we have relatively more options, and the release of emotions becomes somewhat easier—after all, taking action is the best way to approach the truth. In this case, several netizens, upon seeing the news, went to the relevant local authorities to verify the situation. Starting from April 15, they received official responses one after another, and their concerns gradually dissipated along with the emergence of the truth.

Those who paid attention to this incident were fortunate. They witnessed the truth and a perfect resolution. In most cases, however, the truth of news evaporates with the wind, and it can never be revealed. Although people haven't stopped searching and attempting to uncover the truth, they always end up powerless. It's just like not knowing who the killer is in the movie "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri."

Lastly, not everyone cares about the truth behind the news. Among those with vested interests, each individual emphasizes and embellishes the facts that are relevant to themselves while neglecting the rights of other parties involved. Among the bystanders, many people's lives are already exhausting, and they don't have the time or energy to discern truth from falsehood. Everyone just needs an outlet for their emotions to prove that they aren't in the worst situation, that love still exists in their hearts, and that life has meaning. I can understand them, as if I were understanding my past self.

However, deep down in my heart, I have a tiny wish: for more people to embark on the journey of seeking truth and, regardless of the outcome, to reach a final reconciliation with themselves without causing harm to others.