'Why do you rack your brains trying to turn black into white? Don't be too CNN,' read the lyrics from a popular new mainland song Don't Be Too CNN. The term has now become an internet buzzword, reflecting the rising tide of nationalism that has swept the mainland amid criticism of the west's 'biased reports' on China and its affairs.
The anger was fanned by controversial remarks made by CNN commentator Jack Cafferty last month. Cafferty slammed China for exporting unsafe products, which he called 'junk with lead paint'. Responding to a question by a TV show host to comment on the changes in the communist regime over past decades, he said: 'They're basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they've been for the last 50 years.'
Beijing demanded an apology from the network and rejected a CNN statement as insincere. The Foreign Ministry also 'summoned' CNN's Beijing bureau chief Jaime FlorCruz for a dressing down.
Analysts say Beijing's strong reaction reflects a fundamental difference between American and mainland media culture and a build-up of frustration over what Chinese officialdom regards as 'biased' and 'distorted' reports, particularly in relation to the recent Tibet protests. 'Chinese authorities generally do not have a deep understanding of how American media works,' said Jim Laurie, director of broadcasting at the Journalism and Media Studies Centre at the University of Hong Kong. He said American TV channels such as CNN, Fox and MSNBC were about 'developing audience through debates'.
'China didn't know the whole purpose of Cafferty was to arouse controversy,' he said.
Mr Laurie established the first American television bureau in Beijing for ABC News in 1981. Recalling his experiences reporting on the mainland, he said it was not unusual for the Foreign Ministry to condemn reports it was displeased with, or to call in journalists to express disapproval.