Wikipedia

Wang Zhi'an

In this Chinese name, the family name is Wang.

Wang Zhi'an (Chinese: 王志安; pinyin: Wáng Zhì'ān; born on April 21, 1968) is a Chinese investigative journalist and former television host.

Wang Zhi'an
王志安
Wang Zhi'an in 2022
Born (1968-04-21) April 21, 1968 (age 56)
Jilin City, Jilin Province, China[1]
NationalityChinese
Other namesWang Sir (王局)
EducationWuhan University
Peking University
OccupationJournalist
YouTube information
Channel
Subscribers1.33M[2]
(April 11, 2024)
Total views432,462,554[2]
(April 11, 2024)
100,000 subscribers
1,000,000 subscribers2023

He served as a reporter and host for China Central Television and chief investigative reporter for The Beijing News. He moved to Japan in 2020 and is currently the chief reporter of Tokyo Fuko Corporation.[3] In May 2022, he started making videos on his YouTube channel. The channel mainly comments on China's current affairs, social issues and hosts interviews.

Career edit

CCTV (1998–2015) edit

At China Central Television, Wang became famous for producing the documentary television program News Probe. He reported on ambulance corruption but left CCTV in 2015 when he was not allowed to air it.[4]

The Beijing News (2017–2019) edit

In 2017, Wang served as the chief investigative reporter of The Beijing News. The first season interviewed Xu Xiaodong, Zhou Libo, and Cao Dewang.[5]

YouTuber (Since 2020) edit

He was banned from the Internet in mainland China in 2019. In January 2020, Wang began to reside in Japan. Wang's studio opened a Twitter account and started operating a YouTube channel. Parts of his program "Wang Ju Pai An" were posted on his TikTok (international version) channel.

On May 2, 2022, he restarted the new media and came back.[6] In July of the same year, he went to Ukraine to cover the Russia-Ukraine war. He was the only mainland Chinese reporter in Ukraine except Phoenix TV.[7] In September 2022, he went to Tokyo to record the state funeral of Shinzo Abe,[8] as well as a series of special reports on the Fukushima nuclear accident, and was later interviewed for the 2024 Taiwan presidential election.[9]

Since October 2022, he has been interviewed and reported by the Associated Press,[10] NHK World-Japan,[11] Radio Free Asia,[12][13] CBS News[14] and SWI swissinfo.[15]

Controversies edit

2024 talkshow controversy edit

In January 2024, Wang stayed two weeks in Taiwan, producing reports on the 2024 Taiwanese elections. He appeared on The Night Night Show with Hello on 20 January.[16]

Prelude edit

 
Lawyer Chen Chun-han of the DPP at an election rally

Wang had visited a DPP rally on 12 January, during which he witnessed a speech by Chen Chun-han, a disabled legislative candidate. At the scene, Wang described the circa 5-minute segment as "part of common emotive calls to mobilisation in the Taiwanese electoral process". He commented, "Personally speaking, I don't fancy this tactic. If you really care about these people with disabilities, why don't you give this person a higher position on the party list? Why do you put him 16th? Put him 5th, then for sure he will be elected. Put him 16th, it's actually very hard to enter the legislature."[17][note 1]

Trigger of controversy edit

In the appearance, Wang made remarks about Taiwanese politics. Criticising what he perceived as overly lavish and pompous campaigning from the two main parties – DPP and KMT, he likened campaign venues to "walking onto the wrong movie set." Wang remarked, "There are rockstars, and people that do the foreshadowing; and there is emotional mobilisation using disabled people on-stage."[note 2] He then briefly imitated a paralysed man with a jerking head movement, saying, "Support the DPP! Save Wang Yi-chuan!"[note 3] It aroused laughter from the audience, and was included in the first version published on 22 January, which has been replaced since then by a version omitting the clip. The show's producers apologised for the initial publication.[16]

On 23 January, Chang Chih-hao, a DPP spokesperson, said the DPP "condemns" the appearance as "a mocking of Taiwan's democracy",[note 4] and that "ridicule of rally speakers" were "vicious comments". He also said to Taiwanese media that equality for disabled people was a core value of the DPP, and that the DPP was committed to establishing a comprehensive regime for disabled people and realising equal rights.[18]

In a tweet on 24 January, Wang refuted the spokesperson's comments and accused the DPP of instrumentalising disabled people as "election tools". Subsequent tweets also criticised the DPP's "pressuring" of the talkshow.[19]

The National Immigration Agency announced later that day a five-year entry ban for Wang, citing as grounds that he breached the conditions of the tourist visa by appearing on TV.[20][21][22][23]

Aftermath edit

On 24 January, an anonymous Chinese-language X account began publicising personal information of Wang and his media employees including addresses and pictures of their offices, vowing a "revelation campaign".[24] It further claimed fraudulent business dealings by Wang in his media venture.[25] The tweets have gathered up to 233,000 views (as of 27 January, 01:00 UTC).

On 26 January, Wang published a video expressing his apologies to Chen Chun-han and "people with disabilities in Taiwan who feel offended",[26] and sarcastically mocked the DPP, "I should have actually just eulogised the DPP after arriving in Taiwan: to eulogise the DPP as not only the light of the Taiwanese democratic system, but also the light of Chinese-speaking peoples, the light of the world, the light of Asia, and the light of the universe".[27][note 5] He reported instances of physical stalking after the publicisation of the personal information, purportedly causing some of his team to refrain from work that day and express intentions of termination. "I think that the CCP will not vigorously hunt me down right now [...]. I also think that the DPP will not hunt me down using their means in Japan. The people who would hunt me down are most probably Falun Gong groups, for I offended them a while back. [...] Secondly, it's those particular groups in the Chinese diaspora in Japan; I know this well. They are precisely using these means of doxxing to publicise my personal information", he said. He indicated his plans to relocate the offices, and to contact Japanese police.[27]

Chen died on 11 February 2024 following cold complications.[28] After media reports on 15 February about the death, Wang posted on Twitter what he claimed to have been an apology letter destined for Chen drafted "half a month ago", but which had not been sent. In the same letter addressed to Chen, Wang had pledged to donate 1 million yen ($7091 in 2023) to the Taiwan Foundation for Rare Disorders (TFRD).[29] On 16 February, TFRD published a statement rejecting the donation − received before the Lunar New Year holidays − and claiming to have reimbursed it "after discovering through internet searches" that it was from Wang.[30][31]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ "就我自己个人角度来讲，不太喜欢这种方式。如果你真的是要在乎这些身体残障的人，那你为什么不把这个人的不分区排名往前靠呢？你为什么把他放到第16名呢？你把他放到第五名，那肯定能当选。你放到第16名，这个位置实际上几乎很难进入国会。"
  2. ^ "有歌星、还有前面铺垫的，还有把残疾人推上去煽情的。"
  3. ^ "支持民进党，抢救王义川！"
  4. ^ "一個中國人對臺灣的民主說三道四"
  5. ^ Timestamp 13:22–15:04

References edit

  1. ^ 王志安 (2023-10-12). 為什麼中國人普遍歧視河南人？ ｜河南人｜歧視｜地域黑｜偷井蓋兒｜騙子｜刻板印象｜王局拍案20231012. Archived from the original on 2023-10-21. Retrieved 2023-10-21 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ a b "About 王志安". YouTube.
  3. ^ "东京风行新闻社- Tokyo fuko corporation". Archived from the original on 2024-01-14. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  4. ^ 韩阳 (2015-12-25). "业内 央视知名调查记者王志安将辞职，或与节目采访受挫有关". 蓝媒汇. Archived from the original on 2018-07-06. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  5. ^ 魏晓 (2017-09-11). "为新闻而生，新京报"我们视频"欢迎竞争，欢迎王志安们". 蓝媒汇. 搜狐. Archived from the original on 2018-07-06. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  6. ^ 安田峰俊 (2022-09-10). "日本にただいま潜伏中…国営放送CCTVの元編集委員「中国の池上彰」がぶちまける中国メディアの内情". 文春オンライン. 文芸春秋. Archived from the original on 2022-10-13. Retrieved 2022-10-13.
  7. ^ Böge, Friederike; Peking (2022-07-25). "Reporter will Chinas Blick auf den Ukraine-Krieg verändern". FAZ.NET (in German). ISSN 0174-4909. Archived from the original on 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  8. ^ "中国人が安倍元首相の国葬と反対デモを見て「衝撃」を受けたワケ". ダイヤモンド・オンライン (in Japanese). 2022-10-07. Archived from the original on 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  9. ^ "多位華文網紅來台觀摩總統大選 「這個人」被多次指控是中國大外宣 | 國際". Newtalk新聞 (in Chinese). 2024-01-08. Archived from the original on 2024-01-16. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  10. ^ Kang, Dake (2022-10-20). "Fleeing Xi's China, journalist makes fresh start abroad". AP News. Beijing. Archived from the original on 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  11. ^ "Chinese journalist gets firsthand look at Fukushima". NHK World-Japan. 5 October 2023. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  12. ^ "【独家】王志安(上) 我对革命派改良派都没兴趣 我能做的是推动百姓觉醒 | 观点". Radio Free Asia (in Chinese (China)). Archived from the original on 2023-05-01. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  13. ^ "【独家】前央视记者王志安（下）：习继续执政 会把中国带回相对危险状况|观点". Radio Free Asia (in Chinese (China)). Archived from the original on 2023-04-30. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  14. ^ Palmer, Elizabeth; Zhang, Shuai (2023-06-19). "One reporter's lonely mission to keep 'facts' flowing in China, where it's 'hard now to get real news'". CBS News. Tokyo. Archived from the original on 2023-08-20. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  15. ^ Wecker, Katharina (2023-01-10). "王志安：中国的民主之声". SWI swissinfo.ch (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2024-01-16. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  16. ^ a b "Wang Zhi'an penalised with five-year entry ban following discrimination controversy from "The Night Night Show" in Taiwan". BBC News 中文 (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  17. ^ Wang guides you through the Taiwanese election, Episode 7: observation of DPP night rally (in Chinese), archived from the original on 2024-01-26, retrieved 2024-01-27
  18. ^ "'The Night Night Show' invites Chinese person who mocks disabled candidate; DPP condemns: committed to establishing an equal, dignified society". Newtalk新聞 (in Chinese). 2024-01-23. Archived from the original on 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  19. ^ Zhi'an, Wang (2024-01-24). "Tweet". X. Archived from the original on 2024-01-27. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  20. ^ Lin, I-chün (2024-01-24). "Wang Zhi'an violates regulations in his visit to Taiwan; Immigration Agency: lawfully rescind visa and prohibit from entr". Ministry of the Interior R.O.C. (Taiwan) (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2024-01-27. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  21. ^ 中央通訊社 (2024-01-24). "Ex-Chinese journalist Wang Zhi'an appears on the Night Night Show with Hello; Immigration Agency confirms illegality that will be punished". 中央社 CNA (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  22. ^ Everington, Keoni (2024-01-25). "Chinese journalist banned from Taiwan for 5 years, mocked disabled lawyer". Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  23. ^ Huang, Li-yun; Hsiao, Bernadette (2024-01-24). "China journalist at center of talk show controversy receives Taiwan entry ban". Focus Taiwan. Archived from the original on 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  24. ^ "Tweet". X (in Chinese). 2024-01-24. Archived from the original on 2024-01-27. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  25. ^ "Tweet: 'Tearing apart Wang Zhi'an's "Tokyo Fuko News Agency" (revelations welcome)'". X (in Chinese). 2024-01-24. Archived from the original on 2024-01-27. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  26. ^ 「給所有人道歉」 王志安發影片道歉：模仿障礙者是不妥當的 [“I apologize to all”: Wang Zhi'an uploads apology video, stating mocking disabled inappropriate]. CTS News (in Chinese). 26 January 2024. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  27. ^ a b Wang, Zhi'an. "Wang apologises to all". YouTube (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  28. ^ "台灣律師陳俊翰離世終年40歲　患脊髓肌肉萎縮症早前遭王志安嘲諷" [Taiwan Lawyer Chen Chun-han, who had SMA and earlier mocked by Wang Zhi'an, passed away at 40]. HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2024-02-15.
  29. ^ @wangzhian8848 (February 15, 2024). "惊闻陈俊翰律师去世，令人震惊和遗憾。" [It is shocking and regrettable to hear that lawyer Chen Chun-han passed away.] (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  30. ^ "王志安向陳俊翰道歉捐100萬日幣 罕病基金會婉拒︰已退款" [Wang Zhi'an's 1M yen apology donation to Chen Chun-han rejected by TFRD]. Yahoo! News. 2024-02-16.
  31. ^ "【財團法人罕見疾病基金會】針對王志安先生日前捐款100萬元日幣，本會僅接受其善意惟婉拒捐款" [Regarding Mr Wang's 1 million yen donation, the Foundation will merely accept his goodwill but refuse the donation]. Foundation for Rare Disorders. 2024-02-16. Retrieved 2024-02-20.

External links edit

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