Comments on: Chinese netizens strike blow at Western media ethics

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:06:25 +0000

I am a American Born Chinese and I’m currently defending China!!! This is so unfair…i’ll be posting the truth every where now!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:15:24 +0000

I’ll also add that these servers are US-based - and for a reason. Despite the majority of this site’s users being located in China (or at least Asia), having the servers in the US assures we can all say what we want to say and not be subjected to forced censorship.

We may not agree with Western media’s biased coverage of this or that, but it is Western politics that allow us the freedom to debate it.

By: Matthew Stinson

Matthew Stinson — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:51:43 +0000

CJ, it’s called free speech. You’re right that market pressure is a good way to punish CNN when it displeases you, but don’t look ignorant by saying “How can they do this?”

By: CJ

CJ — Thu, 29 May 2008 09:32:23 +0000

How can CNN allow their reporters to insult the Chinese people and their leaders. They obviously condone the practice as this is not the first time this type of malicious and insulting remarks about Chinese people have been broadcast by CNN. Since CNN is the one who started it.. LET THE GAMES BEGIN. USA leaders are really the STUPIDEST in the world, look at what they did in Iraq..look at the state of the US economy and the USD, and Americans who voted for these leaders must be have similar IQ or worse.

Boycott all companies that advertise on CNN. Dont buy their products or do any business with the companies who advertise on CNN. Write to these companies to stop their advertisements on CNN until CNN stops this racist, malicious and irresponsible behaviour and broadcast a public apology on CNN prime time to all the Chinese people in the world.

By: Sports + Politics = No French Bread | Lost Laowai China Blog

Sports + Politics = No French Bread | Lost Laowai China Blog — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:11:36 +0000

[...] China has dominated the semi-pro leagues in the sport, this year Western nations have made a strong showing, catching the Asian country off-guard and causing it to double its efforts to assure its place at [...]

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:33:30 +0000

As OP on this - just wanted to say I agree Sean, great points from both Hao and Yinbin. For two (I’m assuming) Chinese to join this rather loaded-with-Laowai forum and voice poignant and thought provoking conversation in their second language adds a lot to the variety of this thread.

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:22:46 +0000

Hao,

You have some good points

By: Hao

Hao — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:47:35 +0000

China right now actually is in a painful transform stage, a average GDP $2000. People argued if successed, it will transform to the Europe, if failed, goes to Lati-America. The politics structure is definitely far from good right now. But it is on a right track, even the speed is not as fast as the economics grows. What I believe after the GDP (green GDP) beyond $5000 (most people get better education), the political model will be more easily to transform at that time, there will be less risk the whole country split. Again, who really care about Chinese human rights give China some time and understanding.
Sure, because of media control in China, it is hard to hear different voices, but thanks to the WWW, things got better, in lots of online forums, people could freely complain the government, news block (except discuss the sensitive issues like Tiananmen Square, etc). Lots of cruption crimes, unfair treatment to farmers and exposed there, and then solved, even I know there are lots of not yet.
@Sean
The national control media in China is just like a old person, trust me, there are more people in China than you thought know that the CCTV is not a only a media, but also a propaganda tool. A example, this is sentence is popular right now in China, “don’t be too CCTV”. But now changed to “don’t be too CNN”. That is why people always thought all western media are nutrual. Too much expectation make them too disappointed this time. Western media are not nutrual but free and have different voices to let people judge. Even now if only one meida I have to believe, I will choose CNN. What lots of Chinese really disappoint are in the last two weeks, all western media only have one voice, with prejudice. Everyday, if there is a nutural comments, or news, it will cheer me up.
@Matt
I have some Irani and African friends, their comments on their country also different from the images western media portrayed.
Deeply in normal Chinese, I think there is also prejudice on western countries, the painful two centries make people not trust western, even the criticism is really good and helpful. We always believe the Change of China must be made by Chinese themselves, it have to be, and the change is happening.
30 years, the Chinese people’ thought is changing less than the economics, but after 1,2 generation, it will be much more better.I like to discuss here because people here could discuss rationally.

By: Michael Dawson

Michael Dawson — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:30:55 +0000

It seems that a lot of Chinese are angry towards the recent coverage by western media. However, I’d like to point out that there ARE neutral opinions from the west even though they are less heard. If you are interested, have a look at these video below,

Tibetan history by American historian
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fruuxoDQpSc

Dalai Lama Exposed by Michael Parenti
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr46ApMFXzk

The Truth of Tibet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFmuHzFb2tM

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:47:49 +0000

These are growing pains.

If China wants to join the world community and continues to remain so nontransparent in the media sector, this is what is going to happen. If you do not allow access, they are going to write stories whether you like it or not.

The US and the UK get a lot of flak for their deeds in the Middle East or Eastern Europe, but they still remain well reported. There are daily images of the war in Iraq from CNN and Al-jazeera depending on the point of view you subscribe to. Furthermore, most westerners do not freak out at every news story that does not support their party line

I in no way condone the actions of the separatists, but until media is given full freedom to report in the aforesaid area, it will never change.

@yinbin

China Daily, CCTV9, and the press conferences they give in Beijing are horrendous because of the language they use. The language is taught from grade school and as someone that can read Chinese I also see this language plastered all over this country. It is not a friendly language, nor is it welcoming. I think in that way the Straits Times is spot on. The SCMP has pointed out the same thing on several occasions.

As a lecturer I have been in contact with this kind of language for several years and still cannot totally get used to it. Some say it is the translation, but Chinese politics are a bit nationalistic and the Chinese lexicon for political topics is still 30-40 years old.

You say you are a Chinese national, what does that mean exactly? You say that no Chinese believe their media, but let us not forget that at least 60% of Chinese are rural peasants. I’ve seen a figure that 5% of Chinese attend university.

I suspect you are abroad or reasonably well educated and have taken an interested in international affairs. I would say you are a minority in this