Why America Is No Better Than China
David
Posted on August 28th, 2009
The west loves to bash China over its lack of freedom of speech but as with all stories there are two sides to the coin, and in this particular case one side has been massively overlooked. Let’s look at the facts -
All news media in China is controlled by the government directly or indirectly. Anything which is published or aired has to pass up through a series of editors who are frequently briefed with what can and can’t be said. Usually the top guy is a member of the CCP and any lapse on their part can have severe consequences (demotion / job loss / prison). This is why everything you’ll hear / watch / read in China is full of praise for the Party and its benevolent leaders while discrediting anyone who opposes them (e.g. Dalai Lama). The only exception to this rule is when someone is caught fiddling the books or annoys the wrong person. In this case the individual(s) involved are publicly strung up (often executed) and held as an example of how the Party is fighting corruption and a warning to those who may consider doing the same. When living in this constant stream of misinformation no wonder people are brainwashed.
On the other side of the pond the Americans like to think that they are shining examples of freedom and truth while pitying others in places like China where there is “no freedom”. The problem is that it’s simply not true. If you turn on cable news channels like Fox (owned by conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch) much of what they spew forth is utter nonsense or blatant lies designed to undermine their opponents and push their own agendas through fear mongering. Look no further than the current US health care debate to see what I mean:
You think its any coincidence that the rich right are trying to protect private health care? Often combined with pseudo-religious fervor the American public is being brainwashed by big business and right-wing extremists. You might argue that Americans have the right to argue back and vote but this is of little use if almost 50% of them are so convinced of their position that there is no reasoning with them. The fact that people give Sarah Palin the time of day is a perfect case in point.
What’s even more concerning is that the people caught in the middle of this in both America and China are being taken in by what they are being told and thus neither are getting the whole truth and each side places unfair blame on the other. In reality you have on one side a power hungry dictorial government who is scared to let their own people know the truth in case they rebel and on the other side you have a power hungry network of companies who are intent on pushing their own agendas for personal gain. Frankly both are as bad as each other but the people who lose out are you and me.
Perhaps we should all look at ourselves first before criticizing others or maybe ignorance really is bliss? I’d love to hear your opinions.
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I see your point. But I think the major difference between American media and Chinese media is that there are many different voices representing the first. I think this counts as ‘freedom’—so that when a particularly pernicious media company like Fox News creates a video like the one above, it can be debunked by articles published by (more reputable) news sources like the Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/21/AR2009082101778_2.html
You’re right but it still amazes me that Fox and other commentators are able to spew this nonsense without any accountability. What’s even sadder is that people are taken in by it and we end up with the sort of craziness being bounded about in the healthcare debate. I suppose at least people are talking.
Great link btw – it nicely debunks all the myths.
Althought I can’t agree with some parts ,i wanna say this is a great article because you can see this from two sides!
No matter what/how is one country’s management way or policy, as long as it’s suitable for the special background of their country and their people are satisfied with that, then it’s ok.No point in requiring every country to follow the same style and the same policy while ignoring the different background and keeping critising others blindly.
Like in a marriage, if the couple really enjoy their marriage, but other people think their marriage is miserable and pathetic according to their own standard and definition of happiness. Should they pity them? should they tell them ” oh, i really pity you, i think you’re not happy. you should know what the real happniess is .I want to save you from this life…”—This is really ridiculous and unreasonable!
All in all, as long as the people there feel ok, then pity or criticise is unnecessary! But i do hope Both Chinese Media and Western Media can have some improvement on this gradually!
Hi Echo, thanks for your comment! You make a good point but should we as a people accept the status quo and let the abuses of truth continue? ignorance may be bliss but it doesn’t help us evolve or improve.
I missed this.
Politics not withstanding: News is managed in every country. Look at the invasion of Iraq. The “news” was spun from 9/11 through the invasion. China is no different and many of the citizens know it. It’s the same in every country. We are told what those in power think we should be told.
A friend recently commented on the US healthcare debate in a Chinese context. He said: If Hu Jin Tao decided that tomorrow China would have socialized healthcare, then tomorrow China would have socialized healthcare. There would be no smear campaigns, no fear-mongering, no name-calling. It would happen. Yes, it would be messy, but it would be underway. Which system is better?
Excellent example and certainly very hard to say which system is better. Frankly I despise both ways and would like to bang some heads together. Power corrupts anyone who gets it. Simple as that IMHO.