Chinese netizens take on foreign media’s Tibet coverage
April 15th, 2008 by KimA meeting with my Chinese friend/tutor on Saturday turned to a very interesting discussion about China, Tibet, media bias and media control. She is from Nanjing, is in her twenties and graduated from HPU last semester. Like many young Chinese, especially those now living outside China, she is frustrated with the characterization of the Tibet conflict in the foreign press as a “crackdown” by Chinese police on innocent Tibetan dissidents.
She’s not alone. The recent protests in Lhasa, which began on March 14 on the anniversary of a failed 1959 uprising, spurred intense feelings of nationalism among young Chinese and a debate that continues on YouTube and Facebook.
A few of my Chinese friends on Facebook have posted a link to anti-CNN.com in their profiles (full disclosure: I was an intern at CNN’s Beijing bureau in spring 2005). The site, which includes several videos, is dedicated to pointing out anti-China bias in the foreign media. One friend’s Facebook profile picture is an image of a T-shirt that reads: “I LOVE CHINA.” Facebook groups that are variations on the “Free Tibet” movement have been joined by a number of groups supporting “One China.”
For example, the group “Tibet WAS, IS, and ALWAYS WILL BE a part of China” has 20,167 members and seems to be adding members by the hundreds every week. Not all comments posted on the group’s wall adhere to rules outlined in the group’s profile (”NO RACIST REMARKS” and “NO HATE TALKS”).
My friend believes foreign journalists are misrepresenting the conflict, and that is exacerbated by a view in America, popularized in part by the Free Tibet movement, that the Chinese government is oppressing Tibetans. The way she see it, she said, the People’s Liberation Army’s entrance into Tibet in 1950 was not the “invasion” it is often said to be; rather, the army entered a country that was backwards and still relying on a feudal system, and helped Tibet to modernize.
Regardless of what you may think about Tibet’s complicated history, I was interested in her frustration in explaining her views to others. We started using the word “brainwashed.” For many young Chinese, the biggest problem in explaining your opinion to your foreign counterparts besides the language barrier is the fact that many people simply EXPECT you to be in support of your government and without sympathy for Tibetans.
“Of course you think the Communist Party is right,” they nod and say, as if to a child. “You’ve been brainwashed by your government and your country’s education system.”
My friend is not naive about the ills her government has committed over the years, unlike some young Chinese I met in Beijing for whom it seemed large chunks were missing in their understanding of their country’s history. My friend only learned certain details about what happened at Tiananmen Square in 1989 after she left China and moved to the United States. She is well aware that the government exercises more control over the media in China than in the United States.
In the end, though, media bias is not media censorship. This is not to excuse the media that have been accused of anti-China bias, but to point out the irony of anti-CNN’s creators spending time rooting up evidence of foreign media bias when media censorship stares Chinese citizens in the face every day. Censorship of topics like Tiananmen and human rights is still heavily exercised in China. Earlier this month, a Beijing court sentenced Hu Jia, one of China’s most prominent political activists, to 3.5 years in prison. Hu had written controversial articles on web sites and made comments in the foreign media about human rights.
Even what Chinese citizens can read in newspapers or watch on TV about what is happening in Tibet is limited.
It may just be stirrings of nationalist sentiment, but Chinese netizens have attacked foreign media bias with a zeal that suggests objectivity and journalistic integrity are at least of some importance to them. Now if they could only do it in their own country — imagine what would happen.
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Related reads:
Danwei: “The Internet wages war on the liberal media.” (April 14)
Matthew Forney in the NYT (op-ed): “China’s Loyal Youth” (April 13)
EasySouthWestNorth: translation of Chang Ping’s “Where does the truth about Lhasa come from?” (April 3) [Chang, an editor with China’s Southern Metropolis Weekly, created controversy when he posted this piece on his blog]
The China Beat: “The Taelspin on Tibet: The Chinese Response to foreign media coverage of the 3.14 unrest” (March 27)
CNN: “Transcript: James Miles interview on Tibet” (March 20) [Miles, of The Economist” talks about being in Tibet during the unrest]
photo: www.anti-cnn.com
Tags: 2008 Beijing Olympics, blogs and new media, China, Facebook, Tibet
April 15th, 2008 at 4:03 am
There will always be misrepresentation in the media, just as how those Big Macs on TV always look better than in real life. People are always trying to sell something, and in this case the media are under pressure to sell the news, so it does not surprise me that things will be biased in order to get a larger response, “Did you read what the HA printed today?!?!” Or what Joe Moore said?!?!?”
But no amount of bias can cover up the human rights violations that the Chinese government is guilty of. One of them argues that China entering Tibet was to rescue them from their feudal system? I would argue that the Chinese powers that be enforce a feudal type of justice. If the netizens love their country so much, they should try to effect change for the better from within instead of blaming influences from without.
Disclaimer: I am admittedly biased because, though I was born and raised in America, my roots are in Taiwan. Free Tibet and stop harrassing Taiwan!
April 15th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Fuck the hypocrits. Fuck France.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:09 am
A+ Nice Report!!! Good Job!!!
April 15th, 2008 at 8:43 am
I was going to leave a comment about American hypocrisy in condemning China, but I was too strung up over the word “netizens”. What a stupid word!
April 15th, 2008 at 9:28 am
“Media bias is not media censorship”. I couldn’t agree more. Yes, the United States and other western nations do have a cultural and political bias that is reflected in its coverage. And yes, our own houses are not in order nor perfect, as China loves to mention Abu Ghraib. But the key difference is that the citizens of western nations are aware of these problems, are able to discuss them with their neighbors, and are able to demand changes by their government. Unfortunately, Chinese citizens are unaware of any wrongs committed by their own government, thus creating this super-hyper nationalism that we see.
Great post Kim. I hope you keep writing about important issues.
April 15th, 2008 at 11:17 am
What the hell does this topic have to do with East Oahu?
Nothing.
When are you going to strat writing about issues that are affecting people LIVING in THIS country, IN THIS state and in THIS city?
Never.
When are you going to put on the blinders to issues that don’t affect you while living here?
Give me a break.
Just a few RANTS and RAVES over the BS of so-called journalistic FOCUS in Honolulu.
April 15th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Woah, edge. YiHiikes!
Franksabunch . . . tell us what your basis is for your “free Tibet” cry, if not from info’ supplied by the media?
April 15th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Hey Learn:
This topic doesn’t have much to do with East Oahu. I do cover the East Oahu area and write articles about issues in that community, but this blog is not about the East Oahu area. Sorry if that wasn’t clear.
I will state this again for you: Quarterlife Cafe is about things that interest me personally, NOT about the beat I cover. If you are looking for real NEWS, I would suggest that you pick up the newspaper and not rely on the blogs. I think you are fundamentally misunderstanding the point of this blogging exercise. But like I said earlier — if you don’t find this blog relevant or interesting, we have plenty of other Advertiser blogs. OR, feel free to start your own.
Aloha,
Kim
April 15th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
1. Hey, Learn, go jump in the lake, a too kindly remonstrance for your ignorant drivel. Blogs are PERSONAL. As my mother used to say, “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”
2. As for China–it seems to me obvious they are oppressing Tibet. It reminds me of the Hungarian Revolution in the 50’s when Russia stamped it out with force.
April 15th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Poor t’ing, Kim. Mmm. That’s why this blog is called “Quarterlife Cafe” — ’tis about things that interests those in our quarter . . . life. Yeah. It’s your blog that is complimentary to what you write for the Advertiser as a reporter, indeed.
I and many others’ll still be readin’. Yes.
April 15th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
“What the hell does this topic have to do with East Oahu?
Nothing.
When are you going to strat writing about issues that are affecting people LIVING in THIS country, IN THIS state and in THIS city?
Never.
When are you going to put on the blinders to issues that don’t affect you while living here?
Give me a break.
Just a few RANTS and RAVES over the BS of so-called journalistic FOCUS in Honolulu.”
Even if we were to incorrectly assume that this blog had any obligation to cover issues found solely in the small world of East Oahu, commentary on China would still be appropriate because this nation’s actions weigh heavily both directly and indirectly on people “LIVING in THIS country, in THIS state, and in THIS city.”
The $500 the average American consumer saves annually due to the recent surge in Chinese imports through companies such as Walmart, Kmart, Sears, Best Buy, Home Depot, and a plethora of others has probably put money back into your wallet.
That you are still able to buy a car made by Ford or GM here in Honolulu has plenty to do with the fact that these companies’ growing Chinese operations have been subsidizing and softening the billions of dollars in annual losses they have been racking up here in the United States.
Not to mention the fact that the Pentagon’s Pacific re-organization has brought thousands of additional military personnel and their families to the islands as the Department of Defense strengthens our Pacific forces to meet a potential Chinese military threat. In our 11 Billion dollar local economy, the additional homes, construction, jobs, cars and consumers this re-organization is adding to our island will be directly felt by everyone living here, yourself included.
And all this is really just the tip of the China-in-your-face Iceberg.
What’s sad is not that you’ve taken the time to rudely - and mistakenly - make the comments you have on a friendly public blog, but worse, that you haven’t the foresight to connect these basic dots and realize that putting the blinders on to issues outside East Honolulu does not mean they will not affect you while you are living here.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Learn Your Trade and Chris sound like they are working out issues in their bromance…
Nah, nah.
At any rate, what happens anywhere can impact everywhere. Chris’ points are just that, on point, and I bet my Office Manager at the State Capitol would concur.
April 15th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I admit that there will always be difference in people’s views on how the world look like and how they should look like. And most of the time, it is really impossible to convince each other even the evidence is crystal clear before their eyes. The idea about the Chinese people are all brainwashed by the Chinese government is the most rediculus view I have every heard. True, some of us are totally brainwashed. But most of us are not or just brainwashed to the least extent. But who was not. You are not at all. The point is: most of the oversea Chinese have lived long enough in both worlds to see all the evidence to distinguish between the “evil” and the “angel”. To tell the truth, I do not really see much a significant difference between the two, esp., after seeing how the “peacefull demonstrators” burning 4 girls to death and how the “peacefull demonstrator” attacked an handicapped girl in Paris Torch raley and after seeing how the “freedom media” reports the whole thing. Since China is accused of the “worst crime” over Tibet, I can not stop comparing that to what happened in the Mideast, sepcifically, Lebanan and Iraq. I found it hard to believe that what China is doing in Tibet (which is at least its own territory) can catch up with the other two in “worst”?
I do not want to insult the Jews. But they know what their government is doing to the Lebanans. I just want to disccuss about what happened in Iraq. To make this simple. 4000 US soldiers and 1 million Iraqi civilians died (I read this from a British source which I forgot where, correct me is my memory is wrong). The 4000 are considered heros at your home country because they died for American cause. My questions to you are:
– Did it ever occur to you the existence of the 1 million?
– In the heart of your hearts, Who do you Americans (mostly kind-hearted human beings) care more, the 4000 or the 1 million? And why? Remember that among the 1 million, a significant portion are children.
– If your answer to the above question favors the 4000, I do not blame you because you are just not being emphasized enough (or not at all) that the 1 million are also human beings and they died for nothing, at least not for their own cause. They died unwillingly compared to the 4000 who were “protecting their own country”. But that is exactly a strong sign of being brainwashed. Isn’t it?
– If your answer favors the 1 million, I should tick my hat before you and that shows you do care about human lifes. Then my question would be: Do you care about the 4 young girls who were burnt to death alive in Tibet? Whoever’s fault it might be. It is certainly not their fault, right? Why I never heard you condamn the most inhuman deed committed by those murderors? Remember how the Americans reacted when 911 happened. At least, at that time, most of the Chinese, badly brainwashed as you think, showed their sympathy toward the victums and supported Americans for their fight on Terrorists. I do not want to insult you, but I had to say those terrorist also thing they have a justifiable cause and don’t they?
The world do not just look exactly as what you see from your own direction. Trying to see the world from a different position is how you can get a better understanding to it. Before you blaming us for being bainwashed, just remember that at least we, I mean the Chinese who now live in the “free world”, have at least looked at the world from 2 different directions. How about you?
April 15th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
JMAW, I almost shot guava juice out of my left nostril after reading your comment above about the bromance. Bwahaha!
Chicken Grease: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Tibet_%281950%E2%80%931951%29
Disclaimer: Wikipedia is edited by its members, so cannot be considered to be 100% accurate.
However, it provides a quick review of things and I don’t have time to bring up some scholarly articles. Basically, China took it by force. I empathize because as a Taiwanese person, I had relatives who were persecuted by the KMT, the nationalists who came from mainland China to Taiwan after they got kicked out by the reds and wreaked havoc in the 2-28 incident and its subsequent terror campaign.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-28_Incident
And to this day mainland China still shakes its war rattle whenever the notion of Taiwanese independence comes up, when, really, mainland China has not had any control of Taiwan since the 1800s. I hope we (the USA) stick to our end of the Taiwan Relations Act in case China ever decides to invade (which is why I will never be a card carrying democrat). But I digress…
Tibet is its own country, has its own people and own culture. It should be free. The notion of China invading to save them Tibet from its feudal system is like the US invading Mexico. China should realize that their dream of hegemony is not attainable in the modern era. The middle kingdom simply does not exist anymore.
It is not appropriate to compare Tibet to Iraq or Israel (or Afghanistan or Vietnam, for that matter). Each is a beast in its own right…and a red herring for this discussion. And to say the 9/11 terrorists had a justifiable cause is akin to saying Nazi Germany was justified in murdering hundreds of thousands of Jews to preserve their national integrity. That’s Oscar Meyer, my friend.
April 15th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
The Free Tibet movement argues that Tibet should be allowed to form its own nation. The Chinese government, strongly supported by young people, tells us that the situation in Tibet before they arrived was horrendous and they have done much to help the Tibetan people. Who is right? Who is wrong? Perhaps we should urge a plebiscite to allow the Tibetans to tell us what THEY want for their future. Doesn’t that make sense? Don’t worry, though, I’m not so naive as to think this will be possible any time soon.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Please. That’s the same argument Imperial Japan used to validate its take over of Taiwan and Korea. Taiwan wasn’t developed enough and the 19th century royal Korean government was corrupt. And yes, imperial Japan developed Taiwan after seizing Taiwan from the Qing government and yes, imperial Japan helped to modernize Korea. But then again the only reason why imperial Japan bothered to modernize these areas was to improve the infrastructure which would in turn allow them to better milk these areas for there resources.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
It’s both interesting and depressing that Stephen Tsai’s blog on Rainbow Warrior spring training has drawn 312 comments, while Kim’s insightful blog on freedom and democracy in one of the world’s most powerful and economically influential countries has attracted 15, and Dave Shapiro’s and Jerry Burris’ intelligent, thoughtful blogs on political topics are getting less than 10.
This doesn’t speak well for the political sophistication or interests of our citizens. No wonder Hawaii has one of the lowest voter turn-out rates in the country.
April 15th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Learn Your Trade:
Did McDonald’s reject your job application again? Weren’t they impressed with your mastery of journalism? Poor thing. Next time, don’t use a crayon to fill out the job application.
If this blog doesn’t meet your exacting journalistic standards, may I suggest you find another blog elsewhere. To help you get started, here’s one that’s perfect for your brand of infantile musings.
http://www.nick.com/mynick/index.jhtml
You can thank me later.
April 16th, 2008 at 7:54 am
Kim,
Please, when you tackle a story that is so important as this, start out giving a brief history of the issue. For example, was Tibet ever not part of China? Was the invasion of Tibet by the Red Army more of a push by Mao to reverse Buddhist influence or an attempted genocide? When Mao entered Tibet, was the Tibetan armed forces attacked by the Red Army or vice versa? Are there analogies, such as the secession of South Carolina in 1861?
You will note that the Dalai Lama is not pushing for independence from China, as Tibetans do not want independence, IMHO. They want autonomous governing, more like a state in the US.
April 16th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
“The way she see it, she said, the People’s Liberation Army’s entrance into Tibet in 1950 was not the “invasion” it is often said to be; rather, the army entered a country that was backwards and still relying on a feudal system, and helped Tibet to modernize.”
Yikes! Could the same argument be used to justify more modern and technologically sophisticated countries invading ones that are less so?
May 7th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Hey guys.
How many Americans do you think would be able to provide to me the details behind the Waco massacre if I asked around starting from where I live? That event should be pretty fresh in the minds of most of us, shouldn’t it?
How many young adults or teens will know or care about the details of the atrocities that have occurred during the Iraq War just a decade into the future? It should still be fresh in their minds, right?
No?! Really?!
Conversely, suppose I asked around China how many knew of Tiananmen Square and provide to me the details? Oh wait, I have immediate access to friends and family that know about it.
Let’s not be too blinded in our bias, m’kay? The first step towards understanding is placing yourself in the shoes of many Chinese. Worried daily about food prices, bills, heating, education, work, etc… More so than even their worries about politics and events of a province thousands of kilometers away, when you have their own overpopulated province to worry about. Does that sound reasonable? Not everyone in the world is as worried about politics and news as the Western democracies of the world that make up merely 10-15% of the world’s population (and what a rich, well-fed, satisfied bunch we, the 10-15%, are!).
How many Americans know about the events and politics happening in Canada or Mexico? Hell, I don’t even know. What’s the Mexican president’s name again?
I think most of you fail to see the teasing/baiting going on, not just the bias. Barely a day after the torch relay hit Paris, BBC pulled a random Chinese guy off the street, someone who looked like he spent too many hours playing computer games, and asked him what happened in Paris. How and why the hell should he know or care? Nope, he didn’t know there was a protest there, or he didn’t care. Yet, that’s proof right there than a billion Chinese are brainwashed and sheltered by the gov’t. Give me a break. I still consider BBC to be less biased and trashy than most American news.