Provocative words
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Journalism organizations and media outlets plan to observe the achievements of enterprising reporters Monday, Journalists' Day, but some enterprising newspaper reporters and television professionals will not be celebrating mainly because their stories have attracted nothing but trouble.
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A large group of media professionals cover a press conference in Beijing. Investigative journalists say they are constantly under threat and are asking for better protection. |
The subjects of their stories have made it clear they would like to exact revenge and some have already done so through intimidation, retaliation or even violence.
Li Kun, an investigative reporter at China Construction News, who is based in Kunming, Yunnan Province, has been forced to move his office, avoid crowded places and look behind his back every time he steps outside.
After the reporter exposed an illegal real estate project involving some real estate developers in Dali earlier this year, the developers were fined 40 million yuan ($6 million), and two government officials in the city were dismissed for neglecting their duties.
Li learned through the grapevine that the developers were interested in teaching him a lesson.
"People said that I was being hunted by the developers," Li, who has lived in Kunming for 24 years, told the Global Times. "I am afraid that I may have to leave the city."
Officials in Dali also warned him to be careful and his parents are worried about his safety.
"Some officials told me that I have crossed the line [with my stories] and to be cautious while working in Yunnan," Li said. "The last words my mother said to my father on her deathbed in June was 'let him quit if the job is too dangerous'."
Li reluctantly decided to speak to the Global Times and publish his name partly because he wanted the public to know about the plight of journalists such as himself. Although the reaction to his story was printed in other newspapers, he fears his enemies are looking to hurt him even more now after the fines were levied against them.
Some media outlets will host gatherings with readers today to mark the day and the All-China Journalists' Association will present the Changjiang and Taofen Award to a few people for their journalism.
Li hopes the time will come when journalists won't have to worry about their personal safety.
"I do not think there is a positive future for us. We have to pass through many struggles in order to have our stories published," he said.
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