In China, a Grass-Roots Rebellion

Washington Post by Ariana Eunjung Cha | Jan. 29, 2009 (Special Report)

Rights Manifesto Slowly Gains Ground Despite Government Efforts to Quash It

"This is the first time that anyone other than the Communist Party has put in written form in a public document a political vision for China," said Xiao Qiang, an adjunct professor of journalism at the University of California at Berkeley, a human rights activist and director of the China Internet Project, which monitors conversation on China's vast network of electronic bulletin-board systems, blogs and Web sites. "It's dangerous to be associated with ... Full Story »

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by Li Lou - Jan. 30, 2009

it is a fair and balanced story. However, it is such an old story idea, and almost cliche. But even for reporting cliche, this lacks a new angle and greater depth. Pro-democracy movements from grass-roots have been going on for as long as the new government was built in 1949. This has been covered a lot by western media. Therefore, a new news story needs find a new perspective to be appealing.

I worry about Tang Xiaozhao. As her full name and picture was published, I think the central government will soon find her and punish her in one way or another. Her motive is good, but getting exposed by Western media is not really a smart thing to do. Even for an activist, the most important thing is to protect one's own personal security.