Please tell me how to write an article about the Olympic Games or the Wenchuan earthquake?

It has been nearly 72 hours since the century-old earthquake in northern Sichuan. Judging from the evaluations of the Internet and overseas media, the Chinese government has demonstrated extremely high efficiency. There are still tens of thousands of our compatriots hanging in the rubble, and it would be too late to talk about anything other than rescue. It is true that earthquake relief is a decisive battle against time, but post-disaster reconstruction is a protracted battle for society as a whole. Only with a supporting reform agenda can post-disaster reconstruction be successful.

Disasters not only test the government, but also China’s civil society. In the early stages of disaster relief, those who can really contribute to the front line must be a small number of professionals and troops with enforced discipline. If the non-disaster victims do not want to be just an audience, civil society must have imagination and execution. The following is I only recommend three points:

The first is the scenario for post-disaster reconstruction.

The ancients often said: Misfortune never comes alone. The earthquake may be followed by landslides and epidemics. What is even more worrying is the upcoming flood season in the Yangtze River and the safety of the reservoirs. Along with the earthquake disaster, there may also be high prices, hoarding of key materials, and no market for goods. When rebuilding, land issues must be handled carefully, and people must be careful not to make mistakes in the process...

Every society has its own special way of responding to major challenges, and also has its strengths and things to learn. The more realistic the local and situation scenarios are, the stronger the society’s ability to practice itself. This matter requires the collective wisdom of everyone, and naturally cannot rely solely on the chief and his think tank.

It is conceivable that when the Olympics are held in August, the disaster-stricken areas will still be in ruins. Will we cry while celebrating, or will we have new ideas that combine reconstruction with the Olympics? Does Beijing have the flexibility to change its original script? More importantly, the whole world will measure China by the reconstruction of the disaster area rather than the number of Olympic gold medals.

The second is to reflect on the role and limitations of the state.

The government in the earthquake disaster received emergency authorization to mobilize all resources and restrict people's daily freedoms. However, emergency power is an ancient concept. Ancient Rome had a system of consuls, which was the country's response to the crisis. Governors are given great power to make decisions regarding life and death. But how to authorize it, how long it lasts, and what can be done all require citizens’ consent and are reflected in the form of law. Neither excess nor failure is a blessing to the people. Japanese society has strong awareness and infrastructure for disasters. However, during the 1995 Hanshin Earthquake, the Self-Defense Forces were delayed in entering the disaster area because they were restricted by the counter-signature of the local chief.

Strong energy and determination are the strengths of the Chinese government in disaster relief, but the government is neither omnipotent nor can it concentrate its efforts on one region or one issue for a long time. In disaster relief, state power is definitely the first and leading factor, but in reconstruction, private enterprises and non-profit organizations are the key, among which organized religious groups are the most prominent.

During the "9·21" earthquake in Taiwan, civil society showed endurance and meticulousness that the government did not have, while the corresponding parts in the mainland were still developing.

The third is to make good use of international connections and the Internet.

The purpose of transnational cooperation is not only for emergency relief and material supply, but also to gain international trust and learn from each other. Do not regard world-renowned non-profit organizations as extensions of the government. They are manifestations of European and American civil society. Their values ??may not be in line with Chinese public opinion, but their original intentions and performance can still stand the test. China needs this kind of soft power. As eager as a big plane.

Take Aceh Province in Indonesia as an example. The tsunami killed more than 200,000 people. However, international mediation and assistance allowed Aceh to break away from the deadlock of the independence civil war and move on to the road of reconstruction.

In addition, accurate and timely information is only the first step of the media. The potential of the Internet in disaster relief still needs to be developed, such as mobilizing the public to help find missing relatives and friends, comforting family members, matching and adopting school children, etc. During the reconstruction process, information can also be obtained quickly. From the government's perspective, disclosing information can reduce concerns about corruption and abuse of power for personal gain.

As for friends who are not in disaster areas, my suggestion is not to rush to the disaster areas now.

Perhaps you can make a promise to yourself that you will go to the disaster area to engage in volunteer service within a year and devote yourself to the plight of ethnic minorities in the southwest and mountainous areas. The real serious challenge of this earthquake is the economic depression in the disaster area, and the enemy of reconstruction is public forgetfulness.

Disasters give birth to the possibility of social progress, and disasters may also dismantle the original social opposition and barriers. In 1935, a once-in-a-century earthquake occurred in Taiwan, killing and injuring tens of thousands. However, the Japanese colonial government made good use of this opportunity and tried to strengthen the identity of Japan and Taiwan as one entity during the disaster relief process, resolve conflicts in governance, and opened Taiwan the following year. local elections. I hope that the disaster in Wenchuan will become a new starting point for social progress.

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