11.30.07

Database of Names to Protect Chinese from Foreigners, or Not

Posted in Politics, Activism and Empowerment at 5:36 am by george_lou

Okay here we go again.  Or better yet, here she goes again.  Miss Anita Chang, purveyor of anti-China news, is up to her usual tricks.

In this article, titled “China Tracks Summer Olympics Journalists,” Anita Chang sinks to a new low with the outrageous assumption that China will harm foreign journalists. 

Anita writes that 28,000 foreign journalists expected for the Olympics will have their names compiled in a database.  This will serve to protect interview subjects from being tricked or blackmailed by fake reporters.  But she implies that this database may serve as a blacklist for nefarious purposes by The Chinese.

Below are paragraphs from her article followed by my comments. Let’s start sifting through the trash.

It was not known how information was being collected for the profiles, what they contained or who would be given access to them.

Well Anita, I wont be surprised if your name is already in there.  Considering your list of articles, it should be among the first few.  I’m surprised you didnt bother to guess what those profiles contain.  The right wing would have loved your article even more.

China’s intelligence services have been gathering information on foreign activist groups, aiming to head off protests and other political acts. Last week, U.S. - based monitoring group China Aid Association said the Ministry of Public Security issued a secret order banning those who fall into broad categories such as “antagonistic elements” and “members of illegal organizations.” 

Also on the list were “media employees who can harm the Olympic Games,” the group said.

Anita, there is a HUGE difference between activist groups protesting and journalists writing.  If China prohibits certain protests, then let it be.  What they do in their country, under their own laws, is their own business.  Foreign activist groups know this before setting foot there, yet they complain when they’re arrested for protesting. 

I like the list, “media employees who can harm the Olympic Games.”  That includes you, Anita, and all others who love to badmouth China endlessly.

A survey of 163 China-based foreign reporters this year found that 40 percent reported experiencing some form of interference in their work since Jan. 1, including surveillance, detention, reprimands and intimidation of sources.

Who made this survey of 163 China-based foreign reporters?  Once again, here you go writing stuff without giving names.  Dont you know how important it is to provide sources?  I guess your supervisor must not give a damn.

What kind of surveillance?  Detention?  Reprimands?  Intimidation?

A man surnamed Wang, the information office director of the market regulation department at GAPP, confirmed that Liu discussed the database with China Daily when asked how authorities would identify fake reporters.  But Wang said he was not at the interview and did not know specifics.

A man surnamed Wang?  GAPP?  He confirmed what Liu had said but was not there?  What’s the point?

So what’s wrong with China keeping a database of names, Anita?  You stated yourself that it will serve to protect interview subjects from being tricked or blackmailed by fake reporters.  But why must you doubt that?  Is there something wrong with a government protecting its people from foreigners?  Isn’t that their responsibility?  But you dont believe a word that comes out of a Chinese mouth do you? 

Liu Binjie, Minister of the General Administration of Press and Publication, said, “Disguising as reporters to threaten and intimidate others to collect money is cheating and very dangerous to society.”  His whole point: to protect people. 

Thanks to this site, the world will always know about your writings, Anita.  You may be attaining consistent headlines with anti-China news in the mainstream media, but we know better.  And so does China, the country of your ancestry. 

Change your career. 

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