Despite 22 years in prison, journalist Lu Keng is still
optimistic
Mr. Lu, at the age of 76, has been a journalist for 55 years working for various Mainland newspapers and the local Pai Shing Semi-Monthly. He spent 22 years in prisons under the Chinese government before and after 1949 because of his job and open opinions.
He interviewed Mr. Hu Yaobang in 1984. The interview became one of the reasons the Chinese Communist Party used to oust Hu three years later.
Mr. Lu is now living in the United States and is writing a weekly column for the Hong Kong Economic Journal.
In this interview, he answered a number of questions concerning himself and his views on the local media.
Q: Why do you like being a journal- ist?
Lu: Journalists were serve the whole society. We can produce significant influence. Under the dictatorial control of Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party, people were actually living in feudalism. Therefore, I especially feel the importance of journalistic work. It is the most challenging and meaningful job.
Q: But it seems that what journalists can do is limited.
Lu: Then I have to continue to criticize. It is a process of trying which cannot be accomplished within a short time. I always try my best so that I won't have re- grets in my life.
Q: How did your character lead to your imprisonment?
Lu: A journalist should be aggressive and should challenge the author- ities. My character is also aggres- sive and it is impossible for me to tell lies. But the ultimate concern must be protecting press freedom.
Q: What carried you through the 22 years in prison?
Lu: At that time I believed that after Mao Zedong's death, the political situation would change and I would be released. Moreover, I have an optimistic character. I am not afraid of being executed. In the most difficult times, I imagined what the headline would be with the news of my execution. People in prison said that this guy spent his time in fantasy.
Q: Has imprisonment carved any lasting on you?
Lu: No, nothing. I think the biggest mistake of Mao is that he believed one's mind could be changed. Mind control on most people is useless. To somebody like me, who has already developed his own judgement and values, it is impossible to change his belief by external forces.
Q: What is the difference between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party in media policy?
Lu: The Kuomintang put little con- trol over the media in its heyday, but the Communist Party is more successful in controlling the media and the people. The whole nation was suppressed under fear. The situation increases the sense of mission of a journalist. Thus, the social responsibility of reporters in the United States is not as heavy as ours.
Q: What will be the control on the local Hong Kong media from the Beijing government after 1997?
Lu: It will not do it openly all of a sudden after 1997. Most probably it will use Section 23 of the Basic Law, which is about rebellion against the government. It is a vague principle which is threatening;because how to in- terpret it is up to the government.
Advertising is another tool to control the media. The Communist Party may prevent the Chinese- owned businesses from advertising in the newspapers it does not like. The Hong Kong Economic Journal is an example. After 1997, journal- ists may have to make compro mises under the influence. The result is that criticism will be less sternbecause of self-control.
Q: What do you think about the closure of several political periodi- cals and the prosperous growth of infotainment magazines in Hong Kong?
Lu: It is an inevitable trend in the development of a commercial society. You cannot blame anyone. What we can do is to stand firm in our own position and fulfil our responsibilities. I would not write forthe Next Magazine even if they paid me handsomely.
Q: Why is it so difficult to run a serious publication with high quality?
Lu: Simply because of a shortage of funds. If one is wealthy enough, he can run a periodical according to his own aim. If the circulation is low, he can give it out free of charge to attract readers gradually. But it is a difficult and slow proc- ess. Another reason is that there is not enough human resources. Good staff are always attracted to big commercial organizations.
A publication with both serious messages and healthy sales is only possible if several people, having attained certain financial condi- tions, cooperate and strike for the same goal together.
Q: What are your views on the performance of Hong Kong report- ers?
Lu: Excellent. Compared with the mainland reporters, they have a fighting spirit- for example, waiting for several hours for an interview. They are also very responsible and fearless. This is why Deng Xiaoping said that he is afraid of nothing in the world except Hong Kong reporters.
Q: What are the responsibilities of the local journalists after 1997?
Lu: They should stand firm in their own positions, fighting for what they believe in. Press freedom is not a gift from God or the govern- ment. The only way to get it is to fight for it.
Also, they should write with reasons and high quality. It is useless if one cannot provide strong and convincing arguments.
Q: What should journalists do to prepare themselves for the chall- lenge of 1997?
Lu: First of all, being a Chinese, one must have a good understanding of the history of his own country.
Besides, one should understand the major political changes in the international world. To achieve this, one must acquire good command of Chinese and English. On top of these, one should be confident and fearless of any challenge. The external environ- ment and historical tides cannot be altered, but we can change our- selves.
In fact, you were born in the right time. Many journalists feel frus- trated when they are living in peace and stability. In this historical moment, however, you have many challenging opportunities. You are the children of this great era.