Myth of US press freedom

[Germanicus]

It is a symbol of its soft power and protected by the First Amendment, but press freedom in the US has been compromised. Often extolled as "sacred and inviolable", the US advocacy of press freedom has proven hypocritical.
The People's Daily on Tuesday quoted a report published by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, which concludes that the recent information leakage probe conducted by the US government and its surveillance agencies on some journalists have posed a real threat to the concept of press freedom.
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Gary Pruitt, CEO of Associated Press, recently filed a protest against the US government's clandestine acquisition of phone communication records of more than 100 AP journalists.The US government has tightened press regulations since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the name of national interest and fighting terrorism. That was hardly an unexpected consequence.
However, the information disclosed by Edward Snowden, a former contractor of the US National Security Agency, on pervasive US surveillance indicates the US national interest and its anti-terror war are just two baskets in which anything can be placed. Press freedom has been a convenient victim mugged under the cover of fighting terror.
Even in their daily news coverage, the US media have felt the "invisible hand" of Washington.
An editor with The New York Times once leaked that the White House press secretary will notify the media if the president does not want a certain matter to hit the headlines. A media outlet that defies this instruction will be, at the very least, shunned. This could range from being denied a chance to have a breakfast meeting with the president or receive no reply to an application to have an interview with the president, to something far more serious.
The US government has never kept its hands clear of the media. It offers concocted news to favored outlets and exerts non-disguised surveillance and intervention.
A report disclosed by Edward Snowden reveals that about one-third of the world's international long-distance calls are transferred via the US or its agencies, and almost all Internet communications are stored and may be examined by its surveillance apparatus.
The US has strengthened its control over the media and, at the same time, advocates press freedom which it trumpets as part of its soft power to boost its international reputation. For those who have been longing for US-style press freedom, the CPJ's report and the AP executive's protest should act as a wake-up call.
One of the reasons why Washington has been so intent on imparting its idea of press freedom to other countries is to add to its political weight and present to the outside world its institutional superiority. However, such a sense of superiority, combined with its overpowering economic and military muscle, will make it even more commonplace for the US to act with impunity in its dealings with international community.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2013-10/24/content_17054661.htm

We all know that if you do not ask the correct questions in America then you are targeted by the Whitehouse like journalist James Rosen has been recently.

China is right about America being hypocrites. For America to claim to have freedom of the press is laughable.

[Germanicus]

Chinese Soft Power (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/thread-870360-1-1.html)The Chinese seem very happy to accept criticism even when that criticism is not constructive criticism at all.

I am worried the International image of China will be destroyed by constant criticism of China in certain areas.

I am worried that China is too nice to do anything about it.

It is great that China is willing to accept and be open to criticism and China is always looking to improve itself.

What is the point of being open to criticism that is not constructive in any way?

The west uses their soft power to starthttp://supremesa-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/#) wars. Even without the support of their publics. Will the west start a war with China based on Human Rights issues?

I think they will. And I am worried that China will allow it to happen.
http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/thread-870360-1-1.html

[Germanicus]

More Chinese media would be good. (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/thread-859096-1-1.html)China Daily is my favourite media outlet. I findhttp://supremesa-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/#) the news items on China Daily to be a breath of fresh air. I think China Daily has great staff, great bloggers and many great contributers to the forum. I also enjoy Xinhua News and The Asia Times Online. I think Asian media is more calm and thoughtful.

I think soft power will be important for China in the future because one challenge China faces is doing a good job of telling its story to westerners.

Most westerners do not read news items that come from Asian outlets. This causes the story of China to be reduced to 'chinese whispers' if you will. We need to hear things from the source. Second hand reporting can often be confusing and often the message can be lost.

I think China needs to invest in western television and print media. Australia is a great place to start. Australia has only onecable providerhttp://supremesa-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/#) and that is Fox. Australia's only 24 hour news netwrk is Sky News which is Australia's version of Fox News. Astralia is a multicultuaral nation and we have more chinese coming to live in Australia than from any other part of the world. The australian Government has grants and funding to support diversity and our Government does things like support SBS which is a multicultural television network to make new Australians feel conected with their culture.

I would like to see China approach the Australian Government to seek to work together in establishing media that helps Chinese Australians maintain links with their culture and Chnese identity. Australia should be more than open to helping with the cost. Like I said, the Chinese Australians are the biggest part of Australia's multiculturalism and there must be more focus and effort in relation to respecting, maintaining and acknowledging this important section of the Australian community.

Australians of all cultures must have clear access to the Chinese story since our two nations are neighbours and important to each others futures. I think the best thing would be for China to start up a cable providerhttp://supremesa-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/#) of its own that Australians can sign up to. A cable provider would offer the best vehicle to keep Australians informed on and in touch with China and Chinese culture. Print and radio should also be considered.

The multicultural nation of Australia likes to fund projects that encourage multiculturalism. I am sure the cost could be shared in certian scenario's.
http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/thread-859096-1-1.html

[Germanicus]

Degenerate American television (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/thread-903332-1-1.html)I was happy to read that the Chinese Government has decided to limit the amount of vulgar and excessive western television. Most modern western television is utterly degenerate and low culture. Western television is bad for society and bad for the family unit. It is also dangerous for a nation to allow its television stations to be dominated by programing from another nation because popular culture does influence wider culture as a whole. Many nations that have been flooded with western television have seen their cultures slowly Americanized over time. I think that it is very important to protect ones own culture and I am happy that the Chinese Government has put guidlines in place that ensures that the majority of content on Chinese television will be Chinese shows made in China by Chinese citizens. I am also happy that there will be a focus on producing television content that is morality building and has educational value.

I think that the CPC needs to keep a very closehttp://supremesa-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/#) eye on all forms of western popular culture. A great deal of western popular culture is a terrible influence on young children. Western citizens have no genuine way of protecting their young children from vulgar and degenerate song lyrics that are played on western radio. Pop singer Rhianna has a song where she screams "sex in the air baby I love the smell of it," Now this type of language and imagery is totally inappropriate for the young teenage girls that the lyrics are aimed at but worse still is the fact that a 7 year old girl or younger can hear these lyrics on the radio while she is in the back of a taxi or somewhere. Even if a parent bans radio in the house it is still very hard to avoid a degenerate and out of control western culture and virtually impossible to protect your children. Chinese citizes will not have to worry about their children being flooded with the bad inluence of degenerate western popular culture like we do in the west with the new guidlines in place like but I think the guidlines may need to go further.

Not many intelligent people in Australia appreciate the fact that our televisions are flooded with American content. Most intelligent Australians scoff at American tv and call it "yank crap". I assume it is the same in Europe. The reason we have so much American content on our television screens is not because we like it so much or its influence on our young citizens but the Americans so-called 'trade agreements' contain strings that force Australian networks to show a certain percentage of American made television. The controversial new TPP trade agreement that the USA is pushing in the Asia Pacific includes certain rules in relation to percentages of American programing being screened on our television screens. This is actually a conscious and active form of imperialism. America uses its degenerate programing to extend American influence.

The importance of a nations culture and national identity are paramount. I am glad that the CPC continuehttp://supremesa-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/#) to celebrate the proud history and culture of the nation of China. I think that the guidlines encouraging more Chinese content for Chinese television were needed and I hope China continues to guard against the degenerate elements of western popular culture from being a bad influence on China.
http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/thread-903332-1-1.html

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http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2013-10/24/content_17054661.htm

We all know that if you do not end up asking the correct questions in America then you are targeted by the Whitehouse like James Rosen has been recently.

China is right about America being hypocrites. For America to claim to have freedom of the press is laughable.

Tell that to the allegedly non-partisan partisan Democrats on here. Obama can do no wrong or if he does wrong it's only because Bush did it first making it ok to do wrong.

[Germanicus]

Superpower cooperation to avoid China-US rivalry (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/thread-874168-1-1.html)I was just reading a great article on the China Daily site titled - No China-US rivalry in booming Africa. ( Xinhua )

I was glad to read the article because I thought that the comments made by Obama today were not constructive.

"When we look at what other countries are doing in Africa, I think our only advice is make sure it's a good deal for Africa.""Somebody says they want to come build something here: Are they hiring African workers? Somebody says that we want to help you develop your natural resources: How much of the money is staying in Africa?''

"I do think that it's important for Africans to make sure that these interactions are good for Africa."

"There has been a long history of extracting resources from Africa, you take raw materials, you sendhttp://supremesa-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/#) them to someplace else where they get used processed, sometimes sold back to Africa.

"I don't feel threatened by it. I feel it's a good thing,"

"I want everybody playing in Africa. The more the merrier." - Barrack Obama

Barrack Obama seems to be feeling very threatened by the increased trade between China and Africa. There is no need to question the intentions of China. When Obama makes speeches like this it hurts Sino-US relations. I woke up to headlines in the western tabloid media saying - 'Obama Slams Unfair Trade Deals With Africa'. Now Obama must be aware these silly things will be written when he makes such speeches and he must do better.

It is also very hypocritical of the USA to preach about one-sided trade deals in Africa. The reason African Police are having so much trouble with the African Nobama protests is because of the decades of US imperialism in Africa. Obama seems to be stuck in this dated imperialist mentality because all of the so-called trade deals that he has pitched to Africa only come with political strings. Assistance and agreements made with political strings attached are packaged imperialism.

When Obama says "I want everybody playing in Africa. The more the merrier." it sounds as though he thinks he owns Africa and it is some kind of playground for America and friends to playhttp://supremesa-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/#) games with. This is a mentailty that the world must move away from. Africa needs to be treated with dignity, respect and as an equal. Not patronized. Obama must learn from the recent trip that Xi Jinping made to Africa. Xi Jinping said that the trade between China and Africa will be win-win and come with no political strings. Xi Jinping also offered assistance if needed which also comes with no political strings attached. Only by removing political strings from agreements and assistance can we move to a global community based on true equality.

Xinhua sums the situation up.

Obama said Saturdayhttp://supremesa-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/#) in Pretoria that the increased Chinese engagement in Africa is "beneficial for all" and that Washington does not "feel threatened by it." However, he has also said China's interest in Africa leaves the continent as "simply an exporter of raw goods." Falling victim to the West's popular myth about China's role, the US leader has yet to fully appreciate China's positive influence.

As international diplomats have pointed out, the two countries have already worked on joint efforts in Africa. The claimed rivalry and competition between China and the United States is more of a result of political bias.

China and the United States, as two major stakeholders in international peace and development, should ditch the myth about each other's perceived role in Africa and work together to develop a partnership with the continent that not only promotes Africa's development, but also brings trade and investment opportunitieshttp://supremesa-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/#) to the world's two largest economies.

The United States should stop making comments that are not constructive. These comments will always be picked up by the tabloid western media. There is no need for Washington to feel so threatened by the rise of China. The eastern superpower and the western superpower have more to gain from cooperation than competition.

The great Xinhua article - ' No China-US rivalry in booming Africa' made me think of a similar opinion article I came across in Xinhua earlier in the week that was hoping for increased cooperation between China and US in the area of technology. We should all push for the removal of US laws that prevent the sharing of new technology. Only the other day Deng Yibing, director of China Astronaut Research and Traininghttp://supremesa-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/#) Center called for a new cooperation models in fields including astronaut training and joint flights and to further promote the cooperation and exchanges between Chinese astronauts and their international counterparts."We believe that more extensive exchanges could help deepen understanding between us and establish a better basis for more concrete cooperation in the future," said Deng.

I think the USA must try to avoid feeling threatened by the superpower of the east and try to embrace all that China has toofferhttp://supremesa-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png (http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/#). China is certainly no threat to the west. China is our friend. I agree with the calls coming from China for more friendly cooperation between the USA and China. I was happy to see that proven US diplomat, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger met with Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on Friday. Kissinger is one American that has been calling for a less competitive and more cooperative approach to diplomacy from the US side. It would be in the interest of the entire global community if Obama took the advice of Kissinger and avoided any future destructive comments that can be used by western tabloid media to damage Sino-US relations.
http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/thread-874168-1-1.html

[Germanicus]

Tell that to the allegedly non-partisan partisan Democrats on here. Obama can do no wrong or if he does wrong it's only because Bush did it first making it ok to do wrong.

I agree. They act like inner party members.

I think conservatives can get along with China and work together. Conservatives and the CPC have a lot in common. Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Mike Lee can do better on diplomacy with China. Rand Pauls response to Obama on Syria was respectful to China.

[Codename Section]

I agree. They act like inner party members.

I think conservatives can get along with China and work together. Conservatives and the CPC have a lot in common. Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Mike Lee can do better on diplomacy with China. Rand Pauls response to Obama on Syria was respectful to China.


Rand is the man.