PureInsight | July 28, 2008
[PureInsight.org]
Dear fellow practitioners! Venerable Master!
My name is Hans, I am 41 years old and live in Laholm on the west coast of Sweden.
I will devote my sharing to what I have experienced in the course of working with the Epoch Times in Sweden.
I came into contact with Falun Gong earnestly in March 1999. I worked
then in a mechanical workshop at my place of birth. It was not the type
of work that I had any interest in, and I felt out of place. I had
constant thoughts of studying, but did not know quite what. I had no
idea what I wanted to do and what was my purpose in life.
After I started to cultivate, things happened. I had the strength and determination to get to grips with things.
With the realistic ambition to "become either a journalist or a
part-time farmer" I applied to the university. I studied social science
a few years and ended the whole course of study with a one-year
journalism education. I mentored in a small daily newspaper in Laholm,
and this led me to a job in the company in early 2004, despite great
difficulties for many journalists in finding work. I understand that
Master arranged it because I could build the skills and experience
needed for my involvement in The Epoch Times. All of it was for the
higher purpose of helping people in the most fundamental way, helping
them distinguish between good and evil, which has its clearest
manifestation in the Communist Party's persecution of Falun Gong in
China.
Among Swedish practitioners, the discussion around starting an English
edition of The Epoch Times went on for some time, and late in the
winter of 2006, things seriously began to happen. We found out which
type of company that was appropriate for the purpose and decided to
register an "economic association." We formed a board of directors,
wrote the articles of association, and applied for publishing rights
for an online news media with the Radio and Television Authorities.
There was much to get acquainted with, but still it felt like the right
path to take. And I felt strongly that this was a mission that I had
the responsibility of carrying out my part well in.
Fortunately, several other Swedish practitioners had also acquired
journalist or media education, and others are qualified in economics,
business administration, and more. The ability to write was possessed
by several of us, developed in connection with writing letters to
politicians to clarify the truth about ongoing persecution, translation
of articles for the Swedish Clear Harmony website, and writing
experience sharing articles. Although we were not a bunch of
professionals, you can still say that we were relatively well-equipped.
Now we have been running the website for two intensive years,
developing like the seeds of a budding plant that is now becoming an
increasingly more stable tree, but we still have a lot to do.
As chief editor, it is my responsibility to help others ensure that
works are published. It means that I coordinate the efforts of
translators, editors, writers, and proof-readers. I had no experience
of this type of work, and it has led to many useful cultivation
situations. As a publisher, I have a legal responsibility not to
publish anything that is in violation of existing rules and publishing
agreements. This has given opportunities for further trials.
There are 10-20 people who work in varying degrees for the Swedish
Epoch Times. The degree of commitment from each person has varied over
time, depending on the situation at home or in their regular work,
other important Dafa projects, or their willingness or unwillingness to
do something, etc. This has meant that the quantity and quality of the
material varies. A challenge to the editors is to try to balance this.
Although we have had some revenue from advertising sales, we have not
yet been able to pay our employees or write some form of employment
agreement. We cannot set requirements on anyone in addition to the ones
that the employees set on themselves and their willingness to
contribute. Fortunately, there are relatively many in Sweden who feel a
sense of commitment to The Epoch Times. For various reasons, commitment
over time varies, but nevertheless we should put up a number of new
articles every day. This has made demands on patience and
understanding, and the ability to engage, but this also requires us to
follow up on the performance of the tasks. It has been a test for my
"good" side. Anyone who wants to be "friends" with everybody cannot be
in a managerial position. They must be able to rise above their private
feelings and instead, look to what's best for the newspaper.
It is with great gratitude that I have noted every day that a number of
people, almost every day, choose to sit down at the computer and
translate, print, or publish articles, etc, when they comes home from
school or work, instead of watching television, spending time with
friends and family or just going to bed. This is one of the biggest
challenges for the team of The Epoch Times today - in any case, for me
- to be sustainable.
Master says at the end of Zhuan Falun: "When it is difficult to endure, you can endure. When it is impossible to do, it is possible to do. It is really so."
Simply continue working towards the goal. Each day, write, translate
and publish new articles that our readers can read to better understand
our world, and at least, what is happening in China.
Therefore, I consider it very important that we continue to work for
The Epoch Times to become an economically independent news media that
can employ its reporters, advertising salespersons, and others. We
shall make our newspaper as good as possible for our readers.
In order to fulfil the purpose of The Epoch Times and run a newspaper
that presents good news, not only on China, human rights, the truth
about Falun Gong and the crimes of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP),
but also about society as a whole – which is all a part of Fa – we need
to make it attractive to readers. We need to be professional in our
conduct, both in terms of our skills and in the workplace. This has
been discussed for a few years now, and I think I notice a change
towards a more professional approach to the work of The Epoch Times.
But there is still more to do, not the least on my own part.
All who work with The Epoch Times have certainly encountered a series
of cultivation opportunities. Taking and giving feedback is one. As an
editor, it is my job to assess the text before publication. I have
found it difficult to tell people when they have done something that
has not been good. This was not out of kindness, I realised, but
cowardice and convenience. It has been easier not to say anything for
the sake "peace." But as publisher, it is my responsibility to ensure
what is written in the newspaper is right, both legally and
qualitatively.
We have had a couple situations where the staff felt criticised by
other practitioners in ways that they have not been able to take in
their heart. They have not felt the criticism factual or well-meaning,
and it has resulted in a loss of involvement, which is unfortunate for
all parties.
Given that we do not pay employees, it is especially important to keep
the group together with other funds. It is an area where I feel I have
much more to learn. As we sit scattered across the country and only
meet at major gatherings such as this, or at one or another meeting, or
at a course, we in The Epoch Times do not have the working community
that exists in other companies. We are talking, of course, over the
telephone and over MSN Messenger or Skype, and we have a weekly meeting
every Sunday, when we study the Fa and discuss the work. But what is
absolutely a great step forward towards a firmer and more
professionally driven media – whether we can achieve it - depends on
having a real editorial staff to gather around. It is one of my hopes
for the future. Working together more facilitates the workplace,
provides company, eases working discipline, gives support and advice,
and leads to better cooperation on various reports and so forth. It is
also a challenge to give up my ego and work as a part of one body.
However, I do not think that distance is really a true obstacle or
prerequisite for successful cooperation. Cooperation is about bigger
things than sitting in the same room. Even more important than sitting
together is to focus on the same goal, to understand the unique
characteristics and peculiarities we each have, to show confidence in
each other, and to take responsibility for our part of the work. If we
can communicate directly and honestly, with respect toward each other
and the mission we promised to do, I believe that The Epoch Times has a
prosperous future. Master has already created the future, and it is
only up to us to realize it!
I would like to thank Master and all fellow practitioners for the
solemn privilege of assisting the Fa-rectification by working with The
Epoch Times. It is a gift!
