Literary Master 1918: Starting with New Youth

As soon as the question was read out, more than half of the people raised their hands.

Xu Baohuang randomly selected a student to answer:

"Sir, in my opinion, if we do this, the facts will be easily obscured by opinions, readers will be misled, and the truth will be hidden. This is not what a responsible newspaper would do."

The students applauded, agreeing with the statement.

Nowadays, most Chinese newspapers adopt this style of journalism: a single news story can always be mixed with some personal agenda in order to guide public opinion.

If progressive newspapers did this, it would be somewhat beneficial. But when Anfu Group newspapers do this, it is purely useless.

Xu Baohuang nodded in agreement with the answer:

"What you said is very good, please sit down."

"Given this premise, news reporting and the expression of opinions should be clearly distinguished. News reporting should take a 'third-party' stance, strive for objectivity and fairness, and only state the facts, allowing readers to make their own judgments. The expression of opinions, on the other hand, is the responsibility of the editorial section."

He studied in the United States and his views on journalism were deeply influenced by positivism and liberalism. He advocated that practitioners should be as rigorous as scientific experiments, pursue pure and objective "facts," and require journalists to be detached and neutral as "third parties," strictly separating facts from opinions.

The students were all taking notes, but Wu Zhu, who was just going through the motions, brought a pen but no paper, and now could only sit up straight and stare blankly, looking somewhat lost.

He understands the principles, unlike the others around him who show some disrespect for the classroom.

So he pulled out a pen, without even opening the cap, and started gesturing at the air, purely a case of charlatanry.

Xu Baohuang set aside time to take notes for his students and check on their classroom participation.

As it turned out, when he looked up, he saw Wu Zhu performing a ritual, and immediately his face contorted with sweat and a bean-like expression.

"Wu Zhu, what are you doing?"

Wu Zhu, whose name was called, froze for a moment, then hurriedly grabbed a notebook from the table beside him and started making up a story as if nothing was wrong:

"Um...the student is taking notes."

"But I clearly saw you just gesturing wildly at thin air..."

Xu Baohuang mercilessly exposed Wu Zhu's pretense, his tone tinged with resentment.

You speak so passionately and enthusiastically in Shao Zhenqing's lectures, but you're so perfunctory when listening to my lectures?

Upon hearing the exchange, the students all stopped writing, turned around, and stared intently at Wu Zhu.

Wu Zhu had made a fool of himself in Shao Zhenqing's class before, so he was already quite adept at it. In a flash, he came up with an excuse:

"Not at all, sir. Your profound words have been deeply etched into my heart. My actions just now... were merely my unique shorthand method, intended to reinforce my impression."

Along with Xu Baohuang, everyone wore expressions that said, "Do you think I believe that?"

"Since you found it memorable, why don't you share your thoughts with everyone?"

Xu Baohuang, recalling Wu Zhu's previous speech, immediately extended an invitation.

Wu Zhu was once again put on the hot seat, and even Brother Li next to him started pushing him, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and get up to agree:

"Then let me share my thoughts, student."

"Come up and speak."

Xu Baohuang voluntarily gave up the podium, curious whether Wu Zhu could once again make a surprising statement.

As a person from later generations, Wu Zhu naturally had his own views. Since he was going to speak, he was not afraid to take a few steps up the stairs and return to his familiar position.

He bowed to his classmates and cleared his throat:

"In my view, Mr. Xu's words represent the bottom line of professional ethics for journalists. It can even be said that this is the foundation for the newspaper industry to become standardized and establish credibility, as well as the principle for journalists to resist external interference and return to their professional duties. In the future, when you students go on to work in journalism, you must keep this principle firmly in mind."

Just when everyone thought he was going to continue showering them with compliments, he suddenly changed the subject:

"However, students also have their own views on journalistic ethics, and we would appreciate your kind consideration."

Everyone immediately became serious.

Wu Zhu added slowly:

"Specifically, Mr. Xu wants to achieve the 'third-party' stance, that is, to pursue the highest realm of simply stating the facts. But I wonder, is this 'third-party' stance really achievable in today's society?"

"Or rather, isn't this stance itself a kind of intangible stance?"

When the question was posed, the air in the classroom seemed to freeze for a moment.

Xu Baohuang raised an eyebrow, finding the question interesting, and nodded to Wu Zhu, signaling him to continue.

Having received permission, Wu Zhu was no longer afraid of disrupting the proceedings; speaking freely and openly was the academic spirit of Yenching University, and he continued to elaborate on his views:

"Let me give you an example to try and analyze my point of view."

"For example, if a labor dispute breaks out in Changxindian, and a reporter takes this stance, recording the foreman's statement that 'the workers are not putting in the effort and are causing trouble,' and also recording the workers' complaints that 'the wages are meager, the working hours are too long, and there are frequent deductions and delays in payment,' and finally submitting both sides' statements side by side, wouldn't that seem very objective?"

The students listening to the lecture all nodded in agreement.

Wu Zhu waved his hand:

"But think about it, if this report were published in a newspaper targeting industry and commerce, relying on factory workers for income, how would they arrange the layout, how would they word the headlines, and how would they select and exclude the opinions from both sides?"

"Conversely, how would the aforementioned content be arranged if a tabloid favoring workers' groups were published?"

The answer is obvious: even if there is no evaluation, the narrative will be manipulated, a technique known as the "Spring and Autumn Annals style" or "Euphemism."

The students fell into deep thought, and Xu Baohuang was no exception, beginning to reflect on his shortcomings.

"Therefore, even if frontline reporters or editors are impartial, isn't the truth they present also subject to an invisible boundary drawn by reality?"

"In my personal opinion, an absolutely objective third-party perspective is like a flower in a mirror or the moon's reflection in water. It can serve as a professional standard, but it is often difficult to achieve."

"Because we do not live in a vacuum, the way we observe and the angle from which we write are inextricably linked to our class and position, the nature of the newspaper we serve, and even our personal livelihood and safety."

"So-called stance is not a subjective issue, but rather an objective imprint that is difficult to remove. Do you all agree?"

Wu Zhu explained his views in detail.

The students showed expressions that were either sudden realization or still confused.

Xu Baohuang frowned and asked in return:

"But what you're saying sounds relativistic and somewhat pessimistic."

"Furthermore, according to your viewpoint, you can justify 'not being objective,' which is exactly the kind of theory that Anfu Group journalists expect."

Wu Zhu was not afraid to challenge authority and interrupted Xu Baohuang's speech:

"Oh, sir, you've clearly misunderstood."

"I don't mean 'we shouldn't be objective,' nor am I making excuses for biased reporting—but rather that in practice, journalists find it difficult to maintain absolute objectivity as 'third parties' due to various factors."

"Compared to your pursuit of 'absolute objectivity,' I believe we should emphasize honestly facing limitations and striving to get as close as possible to the truth..."

Faced with the students' rebuttals, Xu Baohuang did not get angry, but instead gestured to continue speaking and listen to different viewpoints.

"Journalists should be self-aware, aware of their own biases and blind spots, and present multiple perspectives in their reports. In particular, the real situation of the majority of working people, which is often ignored or covered up by mainstream voices, and their voices that they want to make, are, in my opinion, the standard of truth."

"Isn't this the social responsibility of journalism? The truth that satisfies the needs of ordinary working people will not satisfy the truth that those in power want."

"To uncover and present those silent, suppressed truths, even if the process is full of resistance, is more important and more difficult than pursuing absolute objectivity from a 'third party' perspective."

"Therefore, I apologize that I cannot agree with your view of simply separating facts from comments. While this may demonstrate professionalism and prevent emotions from clouding the facts, it falls into a metaphysical opposition."

"I think a more sophisticated approach is to genuinely stand on the side of the majority and guide readers to see the cold, hidden iceberg beneath the surface, rather than simply presenting the results of interviews. This requires practitioners to have the determination to pursue the truth, as well as the knowledge and compassion to understand the texture of society. This is perhaps more feasible than pursuing being an 'absolute bystander' and can better reflect the positive value of journalism."

"Its greatest achievement lies in promoting a broad social discussion, making it possible for different voices, especially those of ordinary working people, to be heard. This provides the public with richer and more relevant factual information to help them decide whether to implement social changes, which is what our era demands."

Wu Zhu concluded his speech and bowed deeply once again.

He did not completely reject Xu Baohuang's ideas, but rather reflected on them, elevating his views on journalistic ethics from technical norms to the level of professional responsibility.

Ultimately, objectivism is not a new trend; it was already popular during the Second International, with figures like Bernstein as key figures...

The classroom was quiet, but soon exclamations of admiration rang out, and everyone looked at Wu Zhu with more respect.

He has not only made significant contributions to modern literature, but now he also has insights into journalism, truly deserving the title of a polymath.

Xu Baohuang remained silent for a moment, carefully examining Wu Zhu, and began to re-evaluate his young colleague. A smile gradually appeared on his face.

"Excellent! This is truly enlightening and awakening."

"You have pointed out the most fundamental dilemma in news practice, namely the position and boundaries of practitioners as human beings. You have placed the 'third party' in the analysis of reality and proposed career path planning. Your insight has touched the core level of news ethics."

He looked around the classroom and said seriously:

"Gentlemen, you must remember what Wu Zhu just said."

"The road to truth is long and arduous. Only by knowing its difficulties and continuing to climb can we demonstrate our value."

"If I were to express my opinion again, it would make me seem inferior. get out of class dismissed!"

......

The students didn't rush to leave, but instead gathered together to discuss what they had just learned in class.

Wu Zhu was about to step down from the podium when Xu Baohuang called him back, tidying up his lesson plans as he joked:

"No wonder you became the youngest teaching assistant; I should be paying you for your lectures."

"Not at all, not at all. My shallow opinion is nothing to worry about. You don't need to take it to heart, sir. I've already received my wages, which is my way of contributing to Yenching University."

"You're being too modest, kid. It sounds a bit pretentious. But you really do have the talent. It's a waste to follow Qian Xuantong around. Why don't you change careers and we can start the best newspaper together?"

Xu Baohuang extended an olive branch.

Wu Zhu suspected that he was an undercover agent sent by Mr. Pa Weng...

Fearing that Mr. Climbing Elder was eavesdropping outside the door, he resolutely refused:

"Master Qian has treated me well, and I am utterly loyal to him! Please stop testing me, sir."

Xu Baohuang chuckled to himself.

This young man is really interesting.

She can speak eloquently on serious topics, but is also very lively in private.

Serious yet lively—that's what young people should be like...

Although he is young.

Wu Zhu suddenly thought of something and asked:

"I'd like to ask you, sir, what's the status of the 'Newspaper Law' that the Duan Qirui government wanted to implement?"

"Sigh! Duan Hefei has already stepped down. Although he's suspected of ruling from behind the scenes, who cares about that damn law anymore? The last time it was submitted to the National Assembly, it was already very controversial, and after it was rejected, nothing happened. It'll probably just be shelved!"

When Xu Baohuang talked about the "Newspaper Law," he showed a sarcastic expression.

Wu Zhu felt somewhat relieved:

"That's good too; every bit of space for freedom of speech is welcome."

"But may I ask, sir, when will Mr. Shao be giving his lecture?"

Xu Baohuang feigned seriousness and asked in return:

"You don't like my class?"

"Not at all, it's just that Mr. Shao needs to know that I haven't broken my promise."