My OperaDistinction between China Daily and SCMP
Sunday, November 12, 2006 2:57:11 PM
(Well, it is really difficult for me to compare the two because I only read some volumes of them. So I just write something skin-deep. Hope Mr. Traveller---my teacher---won't mind.)
Among all the English-language daily newspapers published in China, China Dailyand South China Morning Post (SCMP) are the leading ones in mainland China and in Hong Kong respectively.
I generally summarized some of their basic differences as follows:
China Daily
Published in: Beijing
First Edition: 1981-6-4
Circulation: 200,000
South China Morning Post
Published in: Hong Kong
First Edition: 1903-11-6
Circulation: 322,040
Generally speaking, SCMP is much more internationalized, while China Daily is indeed "national" as it claims. After all, China Daily is the Communist Party in China-controlled state-run. According to a foreign editor working at the China Daily, a high degree of self-censorship is practised by journalists at the paper. Subjects such as Taiwan, Tibet and the religious group Falun Gong are usually "too sensitive" for regular reporters to cover, and articles have to be approved by higher authorities before publication. This often leads to a delay of several days between the occurrence of major news events and their reportage in the paper.
After reading both of them, I cannot help comparing the two. Here is what I feel.
1. I found much more Chinese characters in SCMP, all of which are traditional ones.
As to the proper names of places and people, there is pinyin in China Daily, whereas the Cantonese in SCMP. So, when there are words in pinyin, SCMP put the corresponding Chinese in traditional characters in parentheses after the English words. Most of this kind of phenomenon can be found in Part A.
2. The sections in SCMP are much more diverse and interesting than that in China Daily.
I like the Features and Life sections most. Also, the Going Out section, which refers to films, gigs, arts and food, are very attractive. It is a pity that I am not in HK.
3. China Daily is more serious, involving much about politics.
Comparatively, SCMP pay more attention to people's daily life. In my opinion, the layout of SCMP looks like The New York Times. It startles you by the appearance but attracts you by contents.
4. However, you are wrong if you think SCMP is too casual.
Both of them have Business section, but you can find all kinds of figures in SCMP, such as the stock, currency, mutual funds and so on. They are also in China Daily too, but only a small section in a corner.
5. I feel much freer in speaking and thinking when reading Editorial section in SCMP.
According to the editor of the China Daily, Zhu Ling, China Daily's editorial policy was to support the policies of the Communist Party and only make criticism of the authorities if there was deviation from Party policy. One of my classmates supposed there will be no photos or even reports about a terrorist bombing on the Front Page if it really happens in China one day. Instead, there will be something called "really important speech" from our president. The newspaper all over mainland China tends to put the photos of handshake on Front Page, which makes us feel that our country is really "harmonious".
6. Classified Advertisement really takes up a great part in SCMP.
Sometimes, some stuff called announcement of corporation bothers me a lot, because it makes the newspaper twice heavier, but is no use to most of us.
7. In addition, I found some interesting and special characteristics in SCMP.
(1) There is always only one news cartoon in China Daily, and only one. But I found many four-case cartoons in SCMP.
(2) I don't think there is whether broadcast in SCMP, while in China Daily it has, and takes up a very big space.
(3) China Daily uses "%", while SCMP prefers "pc".
(4) Characteristically, I found "Crossword Scribble Pad" in SCMP. You can just scribble there when you doing the crossword. I think this is indeed People-Oriented model, which China calls for everyday but in fact does little.
In a word, I prefer SCMP, if only I have choice. Well, there is China Daily Hong Kong Edition, so, when can I get SCMP in mainland China?
Among all the English-language daily newspapers published in China, China Dailyand South China Morning Post (SCMP) are the leading ones in mainland China and in Hong Kong respectively.
I generally summarized some of their basic differences as follows:
China Daily
Published in: Beijing
First Edition: 1981-6-4
Circulation: 200,000
South China Morning Post
Published in: Hong Kong
First Edition: 1903-11-6
Circulation: 322,040
Generally speaking, SCMP is much more internationalized, while China Daily is indeed "national" as it claims. After all, China Daily is the Communist Party in China-controlled state-run. According to a foreign editor working at the China Daily, a high degree of self-censorship is practised by journalists at the paper. Subjects such as Taiwan, Tibet and the religious group Falun Gong are usually "too sensitive" for regular reporters to cover, and articles have to be approved by higher authorities before publication. This often leads to a delay of several days between the occurrence of major news events and their reportage in the paper.
After reading both of them, I cannot help comparing the two. Here is what I feel.
1. I found much more Chinese characters in SCMP, all of which are traditional ones.
As to the proper names of places and people, there is pinyin in China Daily, whereas the Cantonese in SCMP. So, when there are words in pinyin, SCMP put the corresponding Chinese in traditional characters in parentheses after the English words. Most of this kind of phenomenon can be found in Part A.
2. The sections in SCMP are much more diverse and interesting than that in China Daily.
I like the Features and Life sections most. Also, the Going Out section, which refers to films, gigs, arts and food, are very attractive. It is a pity that I am not in HK.
3. China Daily is more serious, involving much about politics.
Comparatively, SCMP pay more attention to people's daily life. In my opinion, the layout of SCMP looks like The New York Times. It startles you by the appearance but attracts you by contents.
4. However, you are wrong if you think SCMP is too casual.
Both of them have Business section, but you can find all kinds of figures in SCMP, such as the stock, currency, mutual funds and so on. They are also in China Daily too, but only a small section in a corner.
5. I feel much freer in speaking and thinking when reading Editorial section in SCMP.
According to the editor of the China Daily, Zhu Ling, China Daily's editorial policy was to support the policies of the Communist Party and only make criticism of the authorities if there was deviation from Party policy. One of my classmates supposed there will be no photos or even reports about a terrorist bombing on the Front Page if it really happens in China one day. Instead, there will be something called "really important speech" from our president. The newspaper all over mainland China tends to put the photos of handshake on Front Page, which makes us feel that our country is really "harmonious".
6. Classified Advertisement really takes up a great part in SCMP.
Sometimes, some stuff called announcement of corporation bothers me a lot, because it makes the newspaper twice heavier, but is no use to most of us.
7. In addition, I found some interesting and special characteristics in SCMP.
(1) There is always only one news cartoon in China Daily, and only one. But I found many four-case cartoons in SCMP.
(2) I don't think there is whether broadcast in SCMP, while in China Daily it has, and takes up a very big space.
(3) China Daily uses "%", while SCMP prefers "pc".
(4) Characteristically, I found "Crossword Scribble Pad" in SCMP. You can just scribble there when you doing the crossword. I think this is indeed People-Oriented model, which China calls for everyday but in fact does little.
In a word, I prefer SCMP, if only I have choice. Well, there is China Daily Hong Kong Edition, so, when can I get SCMP in mainland China?
(33%)
Travellerlaughing buddha # Friday, November 17, 2006 4:05:42 AM