http://www.anti-cnn.com/
I heard about this on NPR this morning. It's a site run by an independent activist inside China that attempts to point out the anti-Chinese bias in the Western media that surrounds the Tibet protest issue. I am personally of mixed opinion about the Tibet issue, but I think it probably has garnered disproportionate attention in the West, especially given the much, much worse abuses of human rights and international law that occur throughout the world. I have never quite understood why so many people are up in arms over Tibet but never mention word one about Chinese weapons sales to Zimbabwe or oil deals with Sudan, two countries with absolutely deplorable human rights records. Anyway, I just wanted to toss this up here it show a different view of events. Media should always be subject to scrutiny, and God knows what you read in the paper or see on CNN is often not the "whole" story.
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2 comments:
Interesting site.
You know, when I first heard the story on late night BBC radio, I recall hearing that the protesters were destroying Chinese shops in the area. Then I did not really hear about it in the media, the story became China killing the people of Tibet.
The footage reminded me a lot of just disorganized riots from all over the world, as opposed to say the protests in Burma (where it was easier to say the government sucked).
Well, let's be fair here: If China wanted fair coverage of the events transpiring in Tibet, and were handling the situation reasonably and responsibly, then they shouldn't have imposed a media blackout, and tried to hide the whole affair from international journalists (and the domestic population).
Now, as far as why Tibet gets disproportiate coverage? I'm sure the reasons are many and sundry... For one, the Dahli Lama is a charismatic fellow who gives a very soft and likeable face to the Tibetan cause. When was the last time you looked at him and thought "hmmm... I don't trust that shifty bastage!" :P
Plus, everyone loves an underdog if their cause seems righteous. And since it isn't hard to imagine China as an oppressive (and occasionally brutal) power, it's hard not to sympathize with Tibet at least a little bit.
Further more, liberals immersed in pop-culture the world over love a fashionable "cause", and "Free Tibet" makes for a very chic t-shirt and/or bumper sticker.
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