TripDingo

Just because this sort of nonsense deserves to reach as many people as possible so everyone can collectively be annoyed or have a jolly good laugh, I’m reposting an article fresh off Danwei here:

CCTV is making up news stories again with a report titled Olympic press freedom hailed by foreign media:

It’s been a year since the government issued regulations giving foreign journalists more freedom to cover stories in the country.

China will provide better assistance, a better environment, and better access for foreign reporters to work in the country. Senior officials reiterated this commitment at an annual reception for journalists from around the world.

Liu Jianchao, Foreign Ministry Spokesman said “Throughout the year, we’ve found the journalists have enjoyed better access to information. We expect more journalists to come to China provide better assistance for them.”

Read the rest here.

Many foreigners might read that and think the Chinese government must think we’re all idiots. Not exactly. This sort of nonsense, albeit digested by you in English, is all available first in Chinese where it is read by, well, the Chinese. Duh, you say, right? Well, wait a second there. The import of that fairly obvious statement is that the vast majority of the Chinese honestly don’t have much exposure or experience with information and opinions that differ from what is fed by the government and the government controlled media. Moreover, do you think there are more Chinese people reading that report (in Chinese) or foreigners (in English)?

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