Focus
Heroic whistleblowers take a stand for fellow citizens
By Li Li, Cui Jia and Qiu Quanlin (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-10-28 08:05
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 Cameraman Lu Jianfu, right, films a driver during a road wrangle in Zhengzhou, Henan province. Lu has posted almost 800 videos online since 2007, with most featuring officials using public vehicles for personal use, violating traffic rules and insulting law enforcement officers. Provided to China Daily |
Social crusaders are helping blow cover off corruption.
The name Zhong Jizhang, or the "Death-defying Grandpa", is one of the most popular searches on the Internet these days in Guangzhou.
After the veteran engineer exposed safety problems covered up during the expansion of the Guangdong provincial capital's subway system, he has become a hero among netizens. However, Zhong is just one of many whistleblowers now making headlines across China.
Whether it be capturing corruption with a camera or revealing wrongdoings with the written word, they are standing up for the rights of ordinary citizens - and holding officials to account for mistakes. Some risk their jobs, others their health; yet almost all are harnessing the power of the Internet.
"By watching and expressing opinions on government policies and their execution, citizens are helping the government," said Shi Weimin, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' institute of political science.
"This behavior should be encouraged to help eliminate corruption and promote democracy," he added.
Inside, China Daily talks to four whistleblowers about their methods, their motivations and their experiences.
Lu zooms in on bad drivers
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He is ready to shoot at anytime, he said, perfect for his day job with a Henan provincial television station and even better for his personal campaign to capture corruption on camera.
The 46-year-old has posted almost 800 videos online since 2007, with most featuring policemen, judges, prosecutors and other officials using public vehicles for personal use, violating traffic rules and insulting law enforcement officers.
His blog at 56.com, a Chinese video-sharing website, has attracted more than 40,000 unique visitors, with his videos played more than 14 million times. Nicknamed "Trash Rake", at least 10 officials have been punished or sacked after being exposed by Lu's camera.
"I hate to see abuse of power," he said from his home in the city of Zhengzhou. "(Corrupt officials) have to be stopped."
Lu's mission began three years ago when he saw a black Audi car sporting a police warning light block drive the wrong way down a one-way lane. Several passenger-filled buses were blocked but the Audi driver refused to reverse, telling traffic police his car "didn't have a reverse gear".
As he was stuck in the jam, Lu filmed the incident and posted it online.
"I just wanted to show people how ridiculous the driver was," he said.
To his surprise, netizens responded furiously. A week later, it emerged the Audi driver worked for the Zhengzhou government and he was sacked.
"I was thrilled about finding a way to punish corrupt officials," said Lu, who started to look out for cars with special number plates that indicate they are government vehicles.
"I was quite chicken at first, so I stood a distance away (while filming)," he said, although he has since grown to like confrontation. "I know there are many people doing what I do but I'm probably the only one standing face to face with them."
Lu explained some officials lie and say they are on government business, while others threaten to use their powerful connections to stop the video being broadcast on television. "I love to see their expression when I mention the Internet," he said.
Despite winning fans, Lu also has his share of enemies. His cameras are often broken and he has been attacked several times.
"I cut my hair short so (people) can't pull it in fights. It really hurt the last time," he said. Because of death threats to his family, Lu has also been unable to eat in a restaurant or go shopping for years.
Quitting, however, is not an option.
"My wife says I'm stubborn as a mule," he said. "I just can't keep silent. This is my responsibility."
His videos have also motivated many of his online chat group. "What Lu does has enlightened us," said sales manager Wang Kai, 39. "The grassroots can hold high-ranking officials to account."
However, Lu is happy to report he is catching fewer and fewer officials these days. "I believe officials are becoming more self-disciplined ... because people like me could jump out from nowhere at any time," he added.
Reporting by Li Li and Cui Jia in Beijing and Qiu Quanlin in Guangzhou.