Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3039597/hong-kong-protesters-are-winning-information-war-which-why-world Letters
Hong Kong protesters are winning the information war, which is why the world is watching
- To say the US is ‘winning’ in Hong Kong is to overlook protesters’ use of media to spread their ideas, without which the Americans wouldn’t be paying attention
A pro-democracy university student walks past a poster featuring Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump at the campus of the University of Hong Kong on November 6. Photo: AP
I disagree with Alex Lo’s assessment, “US winning the propaganda war in Hong Kong” (November 24). If anything, it is the Hong Kong protesters who are winning the propaganda war in the US and the rest of the world.
Lo should take a look at the incredible amount of protest art and messaging that the protesters have produced. The incredible quality and quantity of work, the eye-catching creativity and the strategic targeting of a foreign audience, as well as relentless organisational skills and media savvy, have helped the Hong Kong protesters dominate all international media coverage with a very singular story of struggle.
The protesters and their supporters have created millions of posters, YouTube videos, social media posts, awareness campaigns, stunt protests and online petitions. They even wrote their own protest anthem. They have crowdfunded an international advertising campaign and even full-length documentaries. They have documented and disseminated the human stories, sights and sounds that have captivated the world’s media.
The messaging from the protesters has influenced the hearts and minds of the international community. It is their hard work in lobbying US senators that advanced the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act while they have worked hard to get the support of international allies such as the UK.
Protesters’ lobbying went all the way to the top, garnering the attention of US President Donald Trump, who was forced to take a clumsy stance on the matter.
The international outreach and support is a direct result of protesters’ efforts, not the cause.
Do not overlook and underestimate the hard work and dedication that Hong Kong protesters, grass-roots activists and politicians have put in to get the world to rally behind them. They are not the ones being used.
Yu Kin-man, Wan Chai