The deeply ingrained cultural emphasis on "face-saving" (miànzi) in China often prioritizes harmony and avoidance of public correction over factual accuracy—a trait that, while understandable, can have unintended consequences in education and media.
Over the past few months, I have sent multiple emails to editors at major Chinese newspapers and websites that perpetuate errors in teaching Pinyin (the Romanization system for Mandarin Chinese). Despite clear, evidence-based corrections, I have received no responses or acknowledgments. This reluctance to address mistakes publicly not only undermines credibility but also perpetuates misinformation.
For instance, here is an email I sent to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), with copies to several other prominent news agencies, including The Guardian and BBC News. To date, it remains unanswered:
From:luqmanm2002@yahoo.co.uk
To:South China Morning Post
Sun 28 Sept
Feedback on World News Day Message:
A Call for Alignment in Reader Engagement and Journalistic Integrity
Dear Ms. Tammy Tam, Editor-in-Chief,
I hope this email finds you well on World News Day. As a longtime reader and subscriber, I was heartened by your thoughtful newsletter today, which rightly emphasizes the vital role of fact-based journalism in combating misinformation, upholding integrity through diverse perspectives, and adapting ethically to technological shifts like AI. Your words on the need for newsrooms to "substantiate facts, use dependable sources, and provide context" resonate deeply, especially in an era where trust in media is paramount. However, I couldn't help but notice a poignant mismatch between this inspiring message and my own experience as a reader back in December 2024. While researching dyslexia challenges in multilingual education—particularly for children learning Mandarin as a second language—I came across an SCMP article on innovative phonetic systems for young learners. The piece quoted an expert suggesting that "there is no perfect method, but there is always a perfect combination" of tools like Zhuyin and Hanyu Pinyin tailored to the child. Intrigued but concerned about potential cognitive risks (drawing from dyslexia research), I emailed the newsroom for clarification and further context, only to receive an automated acknowledgment with no follow-up. This led me to publish a detailed blog post analyzing the article's implications, cross-referencing SCMP's own ethics guidelines on accuracy and balance: [link]
Nearly a year later, the silence feels at odds with today's reaffirmation of journalism's "search for the truth" and commitment to engaging communities amid growing doubts about information validity. In a complex world, as you aptly note, reader queries like mine offer opportunities to demonstrate that watchdog role in action—fostering dialogue on niche but impactful topics like education and neurodiversity. I'd greatly appreciate any response or insight into how SCMP handles such follow-ups, and whether this could inform future reader interactions. It would go a long way toward bridging that gap and reinforcing the public trust your campaign champions. Thank you for your time and leadership. I look forward to your thoughts.
Best regards,
Luqman Michel
Sabah, Malaysia
This face-saving dynamic—where admitting an error feels like a loss of prestige—extends far beyond isolated articles. It actively hinders the education of millions of intelligent children in China. Pinyin is the foundational tool used in primary schools to introduce Chinese characters during the early years (typically grades 1–2). When media and educational websites model incorrect Pinyin, it creates confusion that cascades into reading difficulties. Children who struggle with Pinyin pronunciation and tones find it harder to associate sounds with characters, leading to broader literacy challenges and reduced confidence in language acquisition.
Addressing this requires a cultural shift: media outlets could adopt anonymous correction channels or frame updates as "clarifications" to preserve face while upholding accuracy. Until then, the cost is borne by the next generation, whose potential is dimmed by avoidable errors. I urge fellow educators, linguists, and journalists to join in advocating for change—starting with a simple reply.
Here are a few of many related posts:
https://www.dyslexiafriend.com/2024/12/south-china-morning-post.html
https://www.dyslexiafriend.com/2024/12/the-south-china-morning-post.html
https://www.dyslexiafriend.com/2024/12/why-are-many-schools-in-china-teaching.html
https://www.dyslexiafriend.com/2024/12/ccp-education-in-peril-part-2-with.html
https://www.dyslexiafriend.com/2024/09/swallowing-whole-date.html
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