Global Times Editor comes out for Free Speech

[Randy W]

in the WSJ

 

Free Speech in China Gets an Unlikely State-Media Backer

 

China’s ruling Communist Party is cracking down on internal criticism, and the editor of one of the country’s most nationalist tabloids isn’t going to take it anymore.

 

In a post on his Weibo microblog over the weekend, Hu Xijin, editor in chief of the Global Times, called on Chinese authorities to show greater tolerance for dissenting opinions.

 

“China should open up more channels for criticism and suggestions and encourage constructive criticism,” Mr. Hu wrote on Sunday. “There also should be a certain amount of tolerance for unconstructive criticism.”

 

While allowing greater freedom of speech can lead to some problems, it brings greater benefits, he wrote, adding that recent Chinese history since the beginning of Communist rule in 1949 shows that freedom of speech “is inseparably linked to the vitality of society.”

“As for the problems it causes, the state has ample capacity to respond,” Mr. Hu wrote, without elaborating.

 

 

[Greg.D.]

"you have the right to free speech,

As long as you're not dumb enough to ACTUALLY TRY IT!"

 

- Joe Strummer, The Clash

 

I hope he can keep his job.