Biography

Has two sons, Ben (b. 1991) and Sam (b. 1994).

Known for her now defunct Globe & Mail column "Lunch with Jan Wong" in which she often ridiculed her celebrity guests.

She was an exchange student in Maoist China in early 1970s. Her extreme left-wing political beliefs at that time led to her becoming a member of the Chinese Communist Party. She later detailed her experiences in a book "Red China Blues" (1996).

Was Canada's Globe & Mail's correspondent in China from 1988-1994.

Witnessed the Tiananment Square Massacre in June 1989.

I don't do subtle. I don't do wink-wink. If I see the emperor is wearing no clothes I'll say it, even if I know the other villagers are going to stone me.

I think the public might be surprised at how many reporters cower in the newsroom. They're only brave externally. Internally they are very much the obedient company employees.

Journalism is not just another product. You have to have a human spirit behind it - someone who wants to know the truth, who wants to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.