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China Approves Giant Propaganda Machine To Improve Global Image (bloomberg.com)

Posted by msmash on from the stranger-things dept.

China has approved the creation of one of the world's largest propaganda machines as it looks to improve its global image, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing a person familiar with the matter. From the report: The new broadcaster will be called "Voice of China," the person said, mimicking the U.S. government-funded Voice of America that started up during World War II to advance American interests. Bloomberg News had previously reported the new entity would be created through merging China Central Television, China Radio International and China National Radio. The combined group was designed to strengthen the party's ability to shape public opinion and would serve as a key vehicle for China to project its image to the world.

17 of 157 comments (clear)

  1. That's one way to do it by MiniMike · · Score: 5, Funny

    I guess this is easier than actually acting better?

    1. Re:That's one way to do it by jimtheowl · · Score: 4, Funny

      Too bad there is no longer a global super power to act as a moral compass that could actually exemplify what 'better' means.

    2. Re:That's one way to do it by WindBourne · · Score: 3, Insightful

      they have a dictatorship now.
      Chinese gov will be pushing this on many other nations, esp on their new international road.
      With VOC, they will be able to BS their way all around.
      Sadly, the one thing that you will NOT hear, is the truth.
      This will be far more like regular Chinese news, Pravda, Fox News, or Breitbart.
      Just a bunch of propaganda.

      What is sad is that VOA made a big todo to NOT spew propaganda, but instead to simply get the facts/truth out.
      I will say that with Trump/Today's GOP in charge, I do not know what we are broadcasting anymore.

      --
      I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
    3. Re:That's one way to do it by Austerity+Empowers · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Dictatorship is still dictatorship. They don't get off the hook until they become a functioning democracy and adopt some form of human rights guarantees and dedication to upholding them.

      You may or may not like our president, in fact raw statistics would suggest you probably strongly dislike him. But our press is free to, and perhaps has actually enjoyed criticizing him without fear of retribution. He's twisted the screws, but our police force has been able to successfully investigate him and locked a few of his most corrupt cronies a way, and may yet get him. Protestors that roamed the streets and in a few cases were actually doing dangerous and unjustifiable things in the name of "anger", were not driven over by tanks. Our business leaders, who are split on liking and loathing him, have been able to take appropriate actions to protect the interests of their companies. We have no great firewall, even if Russia demonstrates that perhaps we needed one, my money is on us surviving this and coming out stronger and more discerning.

      It's not perfect and there are abuses, but until China can demostrate that they are MORE free and LESS abusive than we are, I'm going to continue to consider them a dangerous dictatorship that needs to be put down when convenient.

    4. Re:That's one way to do it by Opportunist · · Score: 2

      People laughed at me when I wept when the Soviet Union fell. Back when the evil Russians still existed our leaders had to pretend they're the good guys. Back then we had a evil empire that forced ours to be good. Today we have an evil empire that bribes ours to be as bad so it doesn't get noticed anymore.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    5. Re: That's one way to do it by eaglesrule · · Score: 2

      At least Tank Man can be admired and respected in other countries for his bravery, as he deserves to be remembered. Thank you for mentioning him.

  2. Wow! Those Chinese are smart! by Bohnanza · · Score: 2

    (see, it's working already)

    --

    -----

    Sorry, I'm only a 1336 h4x0r.

  3. er by cascadingstylesheet · · Score: 5, Interesting

    mimicking the U.S. government-funded Voice of America that started up during World War II to advance American interests.

    Er, yeah, if by "advance American interests" you mean "combat worldwide totalitarian movements that were grinding humanity under their boots".

    China, OTOH, is the massive totalitarian movement grinding humanity under their boots.

    1. Re:er by ghoul · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Your response shows the investment in VOA has worked

      --
      **Life is too short to be serious**
    2. Re:er by arcade · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Saudis, Guzzetti, Branco, Pinochet, Chiang, Batista, Battalion, Suharto, the Shah, Saddam Hussein, Vang Pao, Somosa, Mobutu .. just a small list of dictators supported by the US.

      --
      "Rune Kristian Viken" - http://www.nwo.no - arca
    3. Re:er by eaglesrule · · Score: 2

      That's right, American exceptionalism does continue. We're so exceptional, that on the same day we celebrate the anniversary of freedom from a distant tyrannical government, we won't think twice about having to que up and have our genitals fondled or be digitally strip searched by federal agents just so that we can use modern forms of travel.

      We're so exceptional, we'll send our kids to schools and expect them to conform to a daily ritual of pledging obedience and parroting a line of hollow dogma about liberty and justice, with the U.S. second only to some all-powerful imaginary spiritual being. Because it makes us feel so good and patriotic to do so.

      Mass surveillance? Parallel construction? Secret courts and Star Chambers? Paramilitary police and for-profit prisons? Who cares? A lot of effort goes into us accepting the status quo. If you go pointing out hypocrisy don't be surprised when you get downmodded for it.

  4. They are acting better too, you know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    They're adding the whole "social credit" system to their society, meaning that if you say Bad Things (or anything at all) about Tibet, say, or include the letter N in your weibo tweets, or something else the censor doesn't like... you're barred from trains and airplanes for a year.

    See? They're working hard at making all the Chinese act better, more harmonious and in line with the party.

    And yes, they're deadly serious about it. They just told all their citizens: You will act better, or else!

    1. Re:They are acting better too, you know by saider · · Score: 2

      China bans Winnie the Pooh

      http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-china-blog-40627855

      --


      Remember, You are unique...just like everyone else.
  5. Re:"Made in China" by thinkwaitfast · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Japan did it.

  6. Re:"Made in China" by BESTouff · · Score: 2

    Every country that industrializes does it at some point. Even the U.S. went through a period where it was thought of as making cheap, inferior goods compared to what European manufacturers could produce.

    I don't think e.g. "made in USA" is a particularly good label nowadays, except in the USA.

  7. Re: "Made in China" by Type44Q · · Score: 2

    Actually, the U.S. is only competitive with good shit these days; other nations are able to manufacture cheap shit far more competitively. So, no; not actually.

  8. Or they could do things that make them look better by Dusanyu · · Score: 2

    Like i don't know Ending their occupation of Tibet and allowing the Dali Lama to return home would be a good start. Or shutting down that Great firewall of theirs