2008年11月12日星期三

Do you like Blog?

This is a busy week to me, but I still open Chengpeng Li’s blog. I do not think I do it just for my homework. I love his words. I love his words, because these articles make me smile. I do not like feel heavy, when I have finished my work in the evening. I think the biggest strength in Chengpeng Li’s blog is his light-hearted tone. I asked some of my friends: do they like Chengpeng Li’s blog? A great part of them gave me the positive answers. Talking about Chinese soccer is a heavy topic in China, but we still need to ease our mind.

I do not think all of the Chinese news paper audience or blog readers like Chengpeng Li. Some times, he is too acerbic. Any time, when he feels something is not correct or not good for Chinese soccer, he criticizes it without the least hesitation. Some times, he himself felt compunction about his behavior or words, but he cannot change himself. In my opinion, his biggest weakness in his words is lack of calm thinking, especially in his blog. When he gives his manuscripts to Soccer, the editor will undertake the duty of modifying his words. But his blog is his private plot.

Chengpeng Li is not an artificial man. From his blog and news stories, we discover there is no conflict between them. He never conceals his idea in his words. Because of Chinese tradition, people do not want to expose themselves to the public, especially about some sensitive topics. But Chengpeng Li always does so. I think that is an important reason why some people feel he is too acerbic. Chengpeng Li appreciates the selfless behaviors, so when he finds someone sacrifices his or her own benefits to help Chinese soccer or Chinese sport, he will applaud for that.

If I have to send a pitch E-mail to Chengpeng Li, I must be very nervous, because I do not think he is easy going. He works as a journalist, a soccer commentator for many years, so he has a excellent judgment ability. If the news story is not attractive, not novel, or not good for Chinese soccer, he will not accept it. As a senior soccer commentator, a professional journalist in China, he knows almost every thing about Chinese soccer, even low-down of other sports, so any common information can attract his eyes. What should I do? I think he does not like a liar, so I will not make a stunt to attract him. I will choose the worthy news story for him. Nowadays, in China, we cannot divide the news release and advertisements or business activities into separately parts. When the news story is not good enough to occupy some space of a piece of news paper, omnipotent money can help the media relation practicer.

Chengpeng Li masters Chinese language very well. I like his words, because I feel I am talking with a wise man. It is really very funny. I do not think he uses different writing style in his news stories and his blog, because sometimes, I cannot judge if this article has been published in Soccer ( Either his news stories of Soccer, or other kinds of articles, all can be found in his blog). Because he broadens his eyeshot in his blog, the words of blog seem more active and more free. Sometimes, we do not want to change ourselves, but the pressure of the society will enforce us to do so. Chengpeng Li has experienced many crisises, but he does not surrender. cannot conceive of such a thing happening on myself.

Nowadays, many people regard Blog as a new medium, even a new Journalist in our society. In the famous websites in China, such as SINA, SOHU and QQ, the column or channel of Blog are all very hot. Many people open their blog in these big websites. I do not think Blog can be describe as a journalist in our society. First of all, the news media have the responsibilities to tell the truth to the public, and the public supervises their behaviors. But the blog does not undertake such responsibilities. Because a great part of them are private plots, the blogers do not mind if the information in their blogs is correct. To what they pay attention is how to increase the number of visitors. Secondly, many blogers have no idea of journalism, they cannot write excellent news articles as journalists. Most of the information of blogs is according the private life of their owners. Because common people do not have the same rights as journalists, they cannot contact some special people or go to some special places. They may blind to some events. Thirdly, the common blogers cannot attract enough attention to their blogs as mass media. Many people use some “special” photoes or stunts to attract visitors. Why I do not say all of the blogs are private plots? Because the websites invite many celebrities to open their blogs with good rewards. Without a doubt, these blogs are hot points. But if they emerge in news paper or other media, they are also attractive, because their owners are celebrities. The last but not the least, the reporters, who write articles in their blogs, will not express contradictory ideas in their news stories and their blogs, because they do not want to be regarded as jesuitical.

I do not think blog can be described as a new medium. It does not mean I think it is useless. Blog is a good information resource. I have seen a lot of news stories about blog. Because the number of blogers is much more than journalists, they live in different layer of the society. The contents of blogs must be much more wider than the mass media. The blogs not only offer clews for mass media, but also for police department. Some blogs seem as the records of this society.

Why do many people love blogs? I think the main point is everyone needs a outlet to express his or her opinion to others. Mass media cannot be utilized by common people. Thank goodness, we have internet - a wonderful thing. Internet has changed the world. Print media experience a tough time in recent decade, because of the appearance of Internet. On one hand, many people do not buy news paper any more, but browse information online; on the other hand, internet offers a new outlet for common people to share their ideas. The intellect of common people is not always common. Many people contribute their wisdom in order to force the development of our society. It is a good thing for our society.

About one year or two ago, one of my best friends asked me why not write a blog? I felt very confused, so I asked him: why I should write it? At that time, I worked in CCTV, the biggest TV station in China, so I had many opportunities to contact different people, including some fashionable people. Blog seemed as a symbol of fashionable life style, but I do not like following the fashion. My friend told me: “blog is an outlet in our daily life. If you have something to say, to express, but you cannot find a right way to deliver your idea to others, blog should be a good choice. ” I was hesitated, because I think writing is sacred. I cannot write anything omnivorously. Untill today, I persist in my opnion, so I do not write my blog often.

If I have power to change the situation of this new communication channel, I will make laws for it. I do not want to confine this free communication channel. I just want to tell the blogers that they have to verify the fact of their blogs. Recently, several lawsuits in China are worthy to pay enough attention. They stemed from blog. Some blogers fabricated stories about other people. This behavior harm the emotions and benefits of others. When I entered the Journalism and Communication School of Renmin University of China, the first lesson is about the responsibilities of journalists. I hope all of the blogers know that. We all have the right to express our opinions and ideas according the world freely, but we do not have the right fabricate anything in news stories, even in our private plots – blog. After all, blog is not traditional dairy.

2008年10月31日星期五

Public area vs. Private plot

When I decide to study abroad, US is my only choice. Many friends gave me many suggestions, depended on their experiences, books, even imaginations. One of these suggestions impressed me very much: American do not like modesty, especially eyeless modesty. But, we, Chinese people, like it. What ever others commend us for, we always say: Nali, nali. If I translate Nali into English directly, it will be very funny but not suitable, because NALI in English means WHERE. It seems we cannot find anything worthy to pride. If Chengpeng Li lives in US, he will adapt to the new environment easily. He claims he is the best soccer journalist, in China, at least one of the best three soccer journalists.

From his words, I know Chengpeng Li is very humorous, and cynical. Cynicism is the common feature in his news stories and the articles in his blog. They have the same style, but they have different contents. From Soccer, readers find his words all about Chinese football. In Beijing Olympic games, China won 51 Gold Medal, the best achievement of all time. Even in their motherland, Chinese men’s football team did not win any match. Football has not been a taboo topic in China, but it is not relaxed. The tone of Chengpeng Li’s news stories is not serious. I have to say I like it. Chinese football is peerless in producing topics, because many events and rumours about this area emerge constantly. It is not interesting, but not a bad thing for soccer journalists. If I have no chance to read his blog, I will regard Chengpeng Li as Soccer Madman. Li is a senior soccer journalist, who is familiar with almost every detail of Chinese football, including what the favorite Online Game of the Chairman of the Chinese Football Association is.

Chengpeng Li is not a Soccer Madman, because I read his blog. Maybe I should describe him as octopus, because he talks about many aspects as a octopus with many tentacles. Of course, his news stories are different from his blog. There must be many reasons. First of all, he works in Soccer, a professional soccer medium in China. His articles about Huanan Tiger, malemine-contaminated milk, or earthquake, are not suitable in Soccer. Secondly, writing news stories undertakes more responsibilities than writing blog in China. Chinese media are described as propaganda position, which is a strange thing to the West people. The word is not created by alien, I promise. People cannot express any emotion without confine, and it is not wisdom to argue against the current system. But, in many situations, the source of many problems is current system, so the news stories must be written with careful consideration. What about the blog? Sometimes, I think it is the bloger’s private plot. People can plant anything depended on their interests. Compared with other media, Internet is much more free. Many people subscribe Chengpeng Li’s blog, because he can express many ideas that others want to say but cannot to say or they do not know how to say. From Chengpeng Li’s blog, people can find many comments on many aspects of China society, even a love story-his novel.

Freedom is invaluable, so I like Chengpeng Li’s blog. People always applaud that he is the bravest soccer commentator in China, even before he opens his blog. Because blog is his private plot, Chengpeng Li plants different kinds of plants as many as he can. His blog is much more informative than his news stories, but all of them are interesting. In Soccer, Chengpeng Li is a soccer journalist, who loves this sport deeply. He is totally different from the journalists who play the roles as propagandists of current system. He seemed as Soccer Madman, but he has a calm position, in fact. He undertakes his responsibilities to help the development of football in China. In his kingdom-the blog, he is a Superman in the World of News, careless the regualtions. Although all of his words are cynical, in the world of Chinese football with huge pressure, he cannot be at ease.

When I want to be relaxed, I read Chengpeng Li’s blog. It is an important entertainment for me. When I read some news reports in newspaper, I do not pay attention to those events. But, when I read Chengpeng Li’s blog, I recognize those events are meaningful even significant.

It is not easy to offer a clue about Chinese football for Chengpeng Li, because he is such a professional soccer commentator. But it does not mean I have no chance to do so. First of all, I will not offer any news about Chinese professional football players, because I do not think I can acquire newer and more interesting news than Chengpeng Li, a senior soccer journalist. His articles have great impact in Chinese football fans. If the name of my business emerges in his articles, the effect will not be inferior to some kind of advertisements. Chengpeng Li, who is bound up in public activities, concerns the earthquake in Wenchuan, China. I think some news according public interest, especially the disadvantaged groups’, will attract his attention.

It is possible to structure a pitch for Chengpeng Li’s article in Soccer. For example, Adidas decides to build some football schools for adolescent in 10 medium-sized cities, and invite famous coaches for them for free. In China, football schools close costantly, so many children cannot acquire the chance to learn how to be a professional football player. Some talented children cannot go to football school, because of the expensive tuition and fee. Chinese men’s football team is one of the worst teams of the world. One of the essential reason of this problem is the terrible player training. Any behavior, intends to help the player training, is good news for Chengpeng Li.

Dear Big-Eye Brother*:
Do you think Ronaldo, Totti or Vieira will come to China together to attend Chinese Super League, and they will be paid not more than 5 million dollors annual? I am not crazy. I know they won’t. Adidas decides help China to create Chinese football super stars using 5 million dollors annual. We need your suggestions about this plan. Could you come to our news conference next Friday?
I will send you the details tomorrow. If you have any question, please call me-720 899 3020.
Cheers,
Jie Liu
*Fans always call Chengpeng Li as Big-Eye Brother, because of his attractive eyes.


Because Chengpeng Li always puts his news stories of Soccer in his blog, so it seems not necessary to structure a pitch for his blog. And in my opinion, because Chengpeng Li’s blog always involves big social events, it seems impossible to plant a commercial flower in his private plot.

2008年10月15日星期三

Fun and Snarl

Chengpeng Li, who came from Xinjiang, a remote place to me, is ranted in TOP 10 Chinese sports commentators. It is very pity; I have never been Xinjiang until now. But, I know Xinjiang a wonderful province in China, in which many minorities’ people live together. Chengpeng Li was born in the mixed culture atmosphere.

When I read his articles in his blog, I have to choose a private place. Do not misunderstand me or his blog! I do not mean there is something eccentric in his blog, which I cannot read in public. His articles are wisdom, facetious, and unexpected. When I read them, I cannot keep calm. Sometimes, I laugh loudly; sometimes, I get into consider; sometimes, I feel very sad. I have to say, I love his words.

Chengpeng Li must have two hobbies: reading books and watching movies. Of course, he loves sports, almost every sport, but it is his job or duty. Reading books and watching movies benefit people a lot. Those enjoyments are different from watch sport matches, because they are not unexpected, and most of them are not fact. Chengpeng Li combines the stories and plots from works of art with the sport matches. Sometimes, the readers may feel confused, because at the beginning of his articles, he writes some stories seem not correlative. It is very interesting, isn’t it? Chengpeng Li uses these stories artfully to support his ideas. When I have read the article, I found I fell into his trap, which was excavated by Mr. Li 3 or 4 minutes before.

Movies represent the dreams of us; books record the thinking of us; sports embody the nature of us. We cannot live without them. China has a long history, which is full of legends and allegories. Chengpeng Li always changes some elements of these stories, which make his articles alive but difficult to be understood by someone who do not familiar with these stories. Those typical scenes in movies always promote the plots to develop, but Chengpeng Li likes to put them at the end of his articles. Maybe he wants to give us a space to think.


Fun and snarl are two main forms in Chengpeng Li’s articles. Chenpeng Li was born in 1968, but he is still a furious youth (they are called Fenqing in China), who cannot tolerate unfair and abnormal things. Chengpeng Li is so lucky that he is a soccer commentator primarily. Soccer, which is always called as football in China, is a special thing in the big country. Soccer presents the biggest conundrum for the Chinese sports machine — the country has the money, the population and the fan base to put together a world-class team, yet has not succeeded. China has had a weird year, 2008, with a freak snowstorm, the Tibetan riots and an earthquake, but the performance of our soccer team shows that some things never change.


The men's national and Olympic teams are the objects of scorn, shame and much hand-wringing. Chengpeng Li has many topics and reasons to write articles about football, which makes him angry and desperate. “We play soccer like the Brazilians play Ping-Pong,” Weifeng Li, 30, the new team captain, said with a deflated voice afterward. Many Chinese would say that is an insult to Brazilian table tennis players. Facing this situation, Chengpeng Li seemed heavy. “It’s so beyond an embarrassment that it almost seems like a comedy,” Chengpeng Li as a popular soccer columnist, said in an interview before a football match. “We’ve cried our tears dry, and now it’s time for us to enjoy the big show, because you never know how our team is going to lose this time.”


As an emotional man, he can write every detail about Chinese soccer. Chinese soccer fans undertake so much pressure that they need outlets, which commentators like Chengpeng Li can give them. Chengpeng Li does not use some discourteous words to describe the situation, and his words are not over-emotional, without any restriction. What is the biggest sadness? Face one’s true love, but cannot rescue him or her out of the wood. I do not know who can rescue Chinese soccer, so does Chengpeng Li. What could he do? He chose the same way as Woody Allen: make people laugh. Laugh embodies backbone, which supports the Chinese soccer fans to accept the fact.


I can find all of his articles in football from his blog, that is really good news to me. What seems better is the articles in his blog are not limited in football even sports. Many social events inspire Chenpeng Li to write articles, from the melamine-contaminated milk, the earthquake in Wenchuan, to TV soap. Sometimes, I wonder why he, a 40-year-old man, is sensitive like this. Besides his comments, I find a novel in his blog-You Are My Enemy, which is a love story, full of romantic and warm memories. Love, the most significant topic of literature forever, occupies a important position in Chengpeng Li’s heart.




The World Cup is coming again, so Chinese male soccer team will participate again. Chengpeng Li will be much busier. Will he feel happy? The answer must hide in his blog.

2008年9月21日星期日