A delegation from China's State Council Information Office in Beijing, headed by Dong Yunhu, the deputy director, visited the AIIA at the Glover Cottages on December 16 for an exchange of views on journalism and media developments in Asia.
Mr Dong and his team of six had come to Sydney from Indonesia, where he delivered a speech at the 4th Bali Democracy Forum. He is an author and former secretary-general of the China Society for Human Rights Studies.
Colin Chapman, AIIA NSW president, opened the meeting with an overview of the Australian media, noting that only one national newspaper and three metropolitan dailies took international affairs seriously, while only one broadcaster, the ABC, supported a correspondent in Beijing, though there were a number of internet entities that provided analysis and comment.
Louisa Graham, general manager of the Walkleys Foundation, and a former AIIA NSW vice-president, told the visitors that one good reason why the Australian press had not been dragged into scandals like the one in Britain, which is currently the subject to a major investigation, was because Australian journalists were bound by a code of ethics. Mr Dong asked for - and was given a copy of the code.
In his remarks he made it clear he favoured an open press, while also adding the caveat that in China journalists were obliged to consider also their responsibilities to society. Mr Dong said China is struggling with the rapidity at which communications are developing through the use of internet and electronic means. This was highlighted in a question by William Hobart who asked how the SCIO felt about the micro blogging surge in China. He stressed that media freedom is very important, but defined freedom as the ability to “act within the law,” and emphasised that as the media grows in importance and reach so too does its responsibilities, such as not to undermine public order or security.
The two sides agreed to continue their dialogue, possibly by holding a conference on journalistic principles and standards. The China State Council also agreed to investigate an AIIA request to provide more information on the problems and challenges China faces in addressing climate change.
AIIA NSW Annual Charteris Dinner - Kevin Rudd
CHARTERIS LECTURE 2011 BY THE HON KEVIN RUDD
