media - A hidden Foxconn-story

The story of the iPod-producer Foxconn continues, partly because of the efforts by the censor to stop the traditional media from writing about it. Danwei publishes its own analysis of the changes in the Chinese media and the way Foxconn tried to sue the China Business News, hitting a raw nerve with the Chinese media:

But then it turned out that the research for the story was done in a very unprofessional way: the journalist basically combined comments from online forums like Xici with interviews with Foxconn employees done by QQ (instant messaging software).

In the end, both Foxconn and China Business News realized that further publicity would only hurt both of them. They settled and agreed to forgive each other.

ESWN has an interesting follow-up, translating a story that could not get published in the traditional media. Also Fu Jianfeng, reporter at the Southern Weekend, is highly critical about his colleagues - including nice scenes from the court. The case is now turning against the Chinese Business News, and indirectly also at the quality of gathering information at some of the Chinese media.