Newspaper editorial discourse and the politics of self-censorship in Hong Kong

In transitional societies where political pressure on the press is coupled with a commercial media system and a professional journalistic culture, the politics of self-censorship is likely to involve a strategic contest between the media and political actors. Language plays a significant role in this contest. The present study focuses on the case of Hong Kong. It analyzes how two local newspapers, facing an important yet sensitive political issue, constructed two different overall storylines and used two different sets of discursive strategies in their editorials to handle political pressure, market credibility, and journalistic integrity simultaneously. The elite-oriented Ming Pao constructed a storyline of the debate as a factional struggle in order to posit itself as an impartial arbitrator. This approach was further sustained and justified by the discursive strategies of balanced and qualified criticisms and the rhetoric of rational discussion. The mass-oriented Apple Daily, on the other hand, constructed a storyline of a sovereign people whose rights are encroached upon by a powerful entity. The paper was therefore much more critical towards the power center. Nevertheless, it also appropriated the dominant discourse, constructed internal contradictions, and decentralized the Chinese central government to smooth out the radicalism of its criticisms. Copyright © 2006 SAGE Publication.postprin

Restructured fish product from white croacker (Micropogonias furnieri) mince using microbial transglutaminas

This study aimed at determining the influence of three concentrations of commercial transglutaminase enzyme in restructured fillet of minced fish from white croacker (Micropogonias furnieri), one of the four marine species with notability in Brazil. The restructured fillet developed had advantages when compared to traditional fillet, such as absence of spine and less flavour intensity (washes cycles). Washing process for white croacker mince was compared with five clarification agents: water (control), phosphoric acid (H3PO4), sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). The higher quality product (whiteness) was obtained with calcium carbonate washes. Three concentrations (1.5, 1.0 and 0.5%) of microbial transglutaminase MGTase (Active TG-B %v/v and Active TG-BP %w/w) were compared, in order to produce fish restructured product (boneless fillet). The concentration of 1.5% (both enzymes), produced better results. The restructured products were compared by sensory analysis and showed better sensory parameters (appearance, odour, flavour and texture) samples treated with Active TG-B (solution form).<br>Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar a influência de três concentrações de enzima transglutaminase comercial em filés reestruturado a partir de polpa de corvina (Micropogonias furnieri), uma das quatro espécies marinhas notáveis no Brasil. O filé reestruturado desenvolvido tem vantagens quando comparado aos filés tradicionais, tais como, a ausência da espinhas e sabor menos intenso (ciclos de lavagens). O processo de lavagem da polpa de corvina foi comparado com cinco agentes clarificantes: água (controle), ácido fosfórico (H3PO4), cloreto de sódio (NaCl), carbonato de cálcio (CaCO3) e bicarbonato de sódio (NaHCO3). O produto de qualidade superior (mais branco) foi obtido com a lavagem com carbonato de cálcio. Três concentrações (1,5%, 1,0% e 0,5%) de transglutaminase microbiana (Activa TG-B % v/v e Activa TG-BP % p/p) foram comparadas a fim de produzir o produto reestruturado (filé sem espinha). A concentração de 1,5% (ambas as enzimas) produziu melhores resultados. Os produtos reestruturados foram comparados através de análise sensorial, e apresentaram melhores parâmetros sensoriais (aparência, odor, sabor e textura), as amostras tratadas com Activa TG-B (forma de solução)