China and Cambodia Support Trump’s Media Defunding Decision
China and Cambodia have lauded President Trump’s decision to defund U.S.-funded media outlets, particularly criticizing their portrayal of government activities. The Chinese Foreign Ministry pointed out the controversial history of these media in covering topics sensitive to Beijing. Additionally, Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen praised the move for its potential to combat misinformation, highlighting the complex dynamics of international media narratives.
China and Cambodia have expressed approval of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent decision to defund specific U.S.-funded media outlets. This action particularly affects Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free Europe, which have been known for reporting critical narratives regarding China. China’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged the media’s controversial history during a daily press briefing but refrained from commenting on U.S. domestic policies.
The spokesperson, Mao Ning, indicated that the mentioned U.S. media entities have long maintained a “notorious track record” in their coverage of China. Meanwhile, the Chinese state-backed tabloid Global Times labeled Voice of America as a “lie factory,” asserting that it has now been abandoned by its government. The editorial criticized the outlet for its negative portrayal of China, suggesting that its outputs may soon be viewed as laughable.
Reports from Radio Free Asia (RFA) have covered sensitive issues concerning Beijing, including alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet, as well as the suppression of democracy in Hong Kong. Notably, RFA publishes content in several languages used within China, encompassing Mandarin, Cantonese, Tibetan, and Uyghur, while such reports are often restricted access in the domestic Chinese media landscape.
Hun Sen, the autocratic former leader of Cambodia, has also praised Trump’s defunding initiative, commending his resolve to combat misinformation propagated by U.S.-government-funded news outlets. Despite his oppressive regime, Hun Sen’s approval underscores a shared sentiment with Chinese authorities regarding the so-called harmful effects of these media organizations. In 2020, following escalating tensions, China mandated U.S. media outlets to disclose substantial operational information, contributing to a series of journalist expulsions from the country.
The defunding of U.S.-funded media outlets by President Trump has received praise from both Chinese authorities and Cambodia’s former leader, reflecting a shared criticism of these media’s reporting. China’s foreign ministry and media express gratitude and assert the necessity of combating what they perceive as biased narratives. The implications of this decision resonate particularly in contexts sensitive to both nations, such as human rights abuses and democratic movements. Hailed by figures like Hun Sen, this dilemma raises questions regarding the influence and reliability of media in politically charged environments.
Original Source: punchng.com
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