Chapter 68 Journalists keep calm[1]

(November 21, 1958) Those who work for newspapers or journalists must analyze the problems they encounter and have correct views and attitudes. Contradictions have a front and a side.When looking at a problem, we must see all aspects of the contradiction.Mass movements have their mainstream and their tributaries.Go down to read, have a dialectical view on the achievements and shortcomings of the movement, and don't make anything absolute.Don't believe in all the good things, and don't just see the negative side of the bad things.For example, concealing production, I sympathize with concealing production.Of course, not telling the truth is bad.But why hide the birth? There are many reasons, the main reason is to eat more, worthy of sympathy.There is nothing wrong with concealing the birth, except for being dishonest.The production is concealed, but the grain is still there.The idea of ​​concealing production needs to be criticized, but it will not do any serious harm to the development of production.

False reporting is not good, and it is more dangerous than concealing production.There are too many reports and I can't take them out.It is dangerous to make production plans based on overstated figures, and it is even more dangerous to make supply plans. Reporters go down below, you can't reflect what others say, you must have a cool head and make comparisons. Forced orders, no good.Certain commands are still required.It's not good if everything is ordered.Some things are not mandatory orders, such as the resolutions of the party committee, which must be followed.There must always be concentration.The process of centralization must be democratic.It is necessary to promote a democratic style of work and oppose coercive orders.

Journalists should be good at comparison.There was a prefect in the Tang Dynasty. When he asked about the lawsuit, he first got to know the people and the surrounding situation of the plaintiff and the defendant, and then tried the plaintiff and the defendant.This is called the "hook and push method".This is comparison, comparing with the surrounding environment.Journalists should be good at using this method.Don't think everything is good when you see the good, and think everything is bad when you see the bad.If others say everything is good, then you should ask: Is it all good? If others say that everything is bad, then you should ask: Is there any benefit?

Journalists should keep a calm mind and think independently, not copying what others say.This way of thinking should first be required by the reporters of the Xinhua bureaus, the People's Daily, and the editorial department in Beijing.Don't just promote what others say, and you have to think about it. Reporters, especially the heads of reporters, must be clear-headed and calm. Based on the "Selected Works of Mao Zedong's Journalism" published by Xinhua Publishing House in 1983. -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ note [1] This is the main point of Mao Zedong's conversation with Wu Lengxi, president of Xinhua News Agency and editor-in-chief of "People's Daily".