Politics
ASIA, BEIJING, CAMBODIA, CENSORSHIP, CHINA, DONALD TRUMP, FOREIGN MINISTRY, GLOBAL TIMES, HONG KONG, HU, HUMAN_RIGHTS, HUN SEN, MAO NING, MEXICO, NATIONAL SECURITY, NORTH AMERICA, NORTH KOREA, PRESS FREEDOM, RADIO FREE EUROPE, RFA, TIBET, TRUMP, US, US-CHINA RELATIONS, VOA, XINJIANG
Omar El-Sharif
China Criticizes U.S. Media Funding Cuts as ‘Notorious’
China denounces U.S. media outlets facing funding cuts under Trump as “notorious” for their coverage, particularly on sensitive topics. The criticism comes as these outlets, including VOA and RFA, face scrutiny for their reporting on China. Former Cambodian leader Hun Sen supported the funding cuts, linking them to combating fake news.
On Tuesday, the Chinese government characterized the media outlets that may lose funding under President Donald Trump as having a “notorious” reputation for their reporting on China. This statement came on the heels of Trump’s signing of an order freezing funds for several outlets, including Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and Radio Free Europe, as part of broader federal budget cuts.
RFA was established to deliver news to populations in China, North Korea, and other nations where press freedom is considerably restricted. The outlet has garnered attention for its coverage of topics particularly sensitive to Chinese authorities, such as human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet, as well as the suppression of democratic movements in Hong Kong.
During a press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning remarked, “It is no secret that some of the US media you mentioned have a notorious track record in reporting on China.” The state-run Global Times further criticized VOA, labeling it a “lie factory” and dismissing its credibility.
Hun Sen, Cambodia’s autocratic former leader, expressed approval of the funding cuts, commending Trump for addressing purported fake news. He has himself faced scrutiny from these outlets throughout his lengthy rule marked by repression and tightened media controls.
The situation reflects ongoing tensions in U.S.-China media relations, with Beijing previously mandating that U.S. media outlets disclose their operations within China. This requirement has resulted in the expulsion of numerous journalists, highlighting the ongoing conflict over press freedom and information flow between the two nations.
In summary, the Chinese government has criticized U.S. media outlets that may lose funding under President Trump, referring to them as “notorious” for their reporting on sensitive issues in China. This situation underscores the fraught relationship regarding media freedom and the dissemination of information between the U.S. and China, particularly against the backdrop of domestic conflicts and international scrutiny.
Original Source: www.bryantimes.com
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