Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3030382/lack-fair-coverage-hong-kong-protests-chinas-state-media-does Letters
Lack of fair coverage of Hong Kong protests by China’s state media does the country a disservice
- The Chinese media did not cover the peaceful marches in June but has emphasised violence committed by protesters and possible foreign involvement in the protests
Protesters distribute food and water to passengers at Hong Kong airport on August 14 and apologise for the disruption they caused the day before. Photo: Kimmy Chung
I refer to your report, “China broadcaster CGTN’s Hong Kong protests coverage probed by UK watchdog” (September 24), on how the British communications regulator has launched an investigation into reporting on the Hong Kong protests by the overseas arm of China Global Television Network (CGTN), the Chinese state broadcaster.
Although everyone can have different points of view on issues, including the government, news should be presented with due impartiality. It hoped that impartiality will be a part of the requirements for domestic media in China.
China is a communist country. Its government has the power to block or control the internet, which means the government can easily shape or block the truth, and the Hong Kong protests are a good example.
When Hong Kong saw its first mass anti-extradition bill march, when a million people protested peacefully in the streets, there was no news coverage in China.
As time went on, and so did the demonstrations, some mainland visitors took videos of the protests and posted them on the internet, and this triggered discussion in China. Finally, with the protests getting prolonged and more intense, the Chinese government started actively publishing negative news on protests in Hong Kong, probably to obscure or cover the truth behind it.
Foreign influence, terrorism, colour revolution: this is how China is trying to shape the story of what is happening in Hong Kong. For 16 weeks, anti-government protests have gripped Hong Kong, with anger rising over China’s growing influence.
And the Chinese authorities have responded by trying to control the narrative. CGTN is just one example. Other mainland Chinese media in their reports had emphasised an incident in which the mainlanders were tied up and beaten by protesters at the airport.
Although most of the demonstrators later apologised for their actions at the airport, CGTN did not report this. That is why most mainlanders do not have the full picture on Hong Kong. China owes its citizens the truth.
“One country, two systems” is the rule that China must follow until 2047.
Eddy Lau, Tseung Kwan O