Writer blasted over Nobel bribe claims
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A report by China National Radio's portal, cnr.cn, said the allegations of bribery originated from Swedish media reports but did not specify the source.
Li Xiguang, a professor of journalism and director of the Tsinghua University International Center for Communications (TICC), posted the news on his microblog Monday and said the Nobel Prize in Literature "is facing its greatest crisis of trust" and "its authority and fairness face an unprecedented challenge."
On Tuesday, Malmqvist's wife, Chen Wenfen, sent an open letter on Malmqvist's behalf addressed to the president of Tsinghua University, condemning Li for "fabricating rumors."
"I'm rather surprised that a renowned Tsinghua professor should fabricate rumors: blasting me for accepting a bribe of $600,000 in order to translate works for a writer whom I don't even know and to persuade my colleagues to give the prize to the writer," the letter said, according to a copy obtained and published by Southern Metropolis.
"The only explanation is that the professor lacks morality. It's a pity that his contemptible action will damage views of western scholars toward Tsinghua University, and increase doubts about China's media circles," the letter said.
Li replied to the newspaper, saying that the news had been carried by cnr.cn. Li deleted the microblog entry Tuesday.
Chen said Li should be held accountable even if he is not the source of the rumor.
"He is a professor of journalism and communication. He should verify information before publishing it," Chen told the newspaper.
Chinese writer Murong Xuecun told the Global Times Wednesday that he believed it was a conspiracy directed by Zhang Yiyi, who has attempted to gain publicity in similar ways on several previous occasions.
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