China Ink by Judy Polumbaum

China Ink by Judy Polumbaum

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.

Not only are the journalists included here highly ethical and aware, they're also largely upbeat. . . Polumbaum's subjects are open and persuasive, and each oral history has charm and detail to spare. * Publishers Weekly *
This book makes for fascinating and very timely reading. . . . Polumbaum and Xiong’s interviewees provide a vivid series of snapshots that enable us to gain a feeling for the fast pace of change [in the journalistic realm]. . . . China Ink’s great virtue is that it offers rich and interesting primary material that, to the best of my knowledge, cannot be found anywhere else, at least in English. * China Beat *
Innumerable pundits have vied to pronounce upon the social and cultural development of the Chinese, but Polumbaum's approach—letting her subjects speak for themselves—appears to be the one now needed most. After putting her interviewees into context with a concise introduction, she simply lets each one recount their own story in a dedicated chapter, resisting the temptation to analyze and conclude, and eschewing clichés such as the prediction that the free market will break down censorship entirely. What results is an unadorned snapshot of a moment in Chinese media, both intimate and unusual. * Time Magazine *
China Ink is a fascinating window onto the world in which Chinese journalists operate. Among the book's most striking revelations is the wide variety of personalities, tactics, values, and aspirations with which they approach their task. -- James Fallows, The Atlantic Monthly
By reading China Ink you will learn more about Chinese media, building codes, swimming and diving, censorship, and writing styles than you could in ten different books—and all of it through the eyes, ears, and pens of significant Chinese journalists. China Ink is both a primer for the beginner and a reinforcement for the frequent visitor and scholar. -- James Harris, founder, Prairie Lights Bookstore

Judy Polumbaum is a former newspaper reporter. She is currently professor of journalism and mass communication at The University of Iowa. Along with Gao Yuan, she cowrote Born Red: A Chronicle of the Cultural Revolution and Lure the Tiger Out of the Mountains: The Thirty-six Stratagems of Ancient China.
Xiong Lei spent 25 years as a reporter and editor for China Features, an English-language feature service of Xinhua News Agency. She is an environmental writer and consultant in Beijing.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780742556683
ISBN 10	0742556689
Title	China Ink
Author	Judy Polumbaum
Series	Asian Voices
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Year published	2008-05-29
Number of pages	214
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.