China to Mark 1st Journalists' DayChinese journalists are expected to celebrate the first journalism festival with a series of programs, including a grand gathering at the Great Hall of the People in the national capital on November 8.An evening party for journalists will also be held in Beijing on the same day, while local All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) branches are scheduled to organize their own celebrations. The ACJA announced the programs for the First Chinese Journalists' Day at today's news conference held at its headquarters. According to Zheng Mengxiong, an ACJA vice chairman, in 1935, the then Kuomintang government was pressured by professionals from the mass media to approve the launching of a journalists' day dated September 1. Since October 1, 1949, when the People's Republic of China was founded, "Journalists' Day" had always been among official festivals, though without a specific date. On August 1 this year, the State Council set November 8 as the Chinese Journalists' Day to make the profession the third in the country to have its own festival, following teachers and nurses. The celebration of Chinese Journalists' Day is expected to help mass media workers improve their professional ethics and their image among the public, according to some local experts. The professional gala will also contribute to boosting the protection of the rights and interests of journalists and enlarging their role as public watchdog. |
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