People expect objective journalism
By Md Enamul Hassan, China
Daily, 7 April 2020. China has long been a victim of a widespread
propaganda war. Many Western media have been running the war as yet. But I have
recently been taken aback when a biased and subjective report about the
coronavirus outbreak has come to my attention. The report titled ‘China
Coronavirus: China Reopens Markets Selling Bats, Pangolins After COVID-19
Effect Dips’ was published in the websites of different international media
outlets.
Daily, 7 April 2020. China has long been a victim of a widespread
propaganda war. Many Western media have been running the war as yet. But I have
recently been taken aback when a biased and subjective report about the
coronavirus outbreak has come to my attention. The report titled ‘China
Coronavirus: China Reopens Markets Selling Bats, Pangolins After COVID-19
Effect Dips’ was published in the websites of different international media
outlets.
The Washington Examiner has first published the report
quoting a correspondent of the A Mail on Sunday. Later on, some other
international media have followed suit. It’s a common practice in journalism to
publish other’s reports giving due credit to their copyright-holders. In this
sense, the other international media have done nothing wrong publishing the
report. However, if the content of the report is reviewed, It’s easily
understandable that the report is nothing but a tool of the Western propaganda
war against China. Because the report started using the racist phrase ‘China
Coronavirus’. The phrase has originated from Sinophobia and is widely used by
the propagandists to smear China. But this is an utter violation of
international rules as the UN health agency World Health Organisation (WHO) has
named the pandemic as COVID-19.
quoting a correspondent of the A Mail on Sunday. Later on, some other
international media have followed suit. It’s a common practice in journalism to
publish other’s reports giving due credit to their copyright-holders. In this
sense, the other international media have done nothing wrong publishing the
report. However, if the content of the report is reviewed, It’s easily
understandable that the report is nothing but a tool of the Western propaganda
war against China. Because the report started using the racist phrase ‘China
Coronavirus’. The phrase has originated from Sinophobia and is widely used by
the propagandists to smear China. But this is an utter violation of
international rules as the UN health agency World Health Organisation (WHO) has
named the pandemic as COVID-19.
The motivated report has also mentioned that ‘China’s
“wet markets” have reopened – selling bats, pangolins and dogs for
human consumption.The markets are under watchful eyes of guards, who ensure no
one is able to take pictures of the blood-soaked floors, slaughtering of dogs
and rabbits, and scared animals cramped in the cages.’ The report continued
saying that ‘several scientists, medical experts and animal rights activists
have called for a ban on China’s wet markets but the Asian country seems to
have not learnt from its mistakes.’ These are totally false and fabricated
statements. Because the world knows China has permanently banned the buying,
selling, and eating of wild animals in an effort to prevent zoonotic diseases
from jumping from animals to people. And Bats are never a diet for Chinese
tables.
“wet markets” have reopened – selling bats, pangolins and dogs for
human consumption.The markets are under watchful eyes of guards, who ensure no
one is able to take pictures of the blood-soaked floors, slaughtering of dogs
and rabbits, and scared animals cramped in the cages.’ The report continued
saying that ‘several scientists, medical experts and animal rights activists
have called for a ban on China’s wet markets but the Asian country seems to
have not learnt from its mistakes.’ These are totally false and fabricated
statements. Because the world knows China has permanently banned the buying,
selling, and eating of wild animals in an effort to prevent zoonotic diseases
from jumping from animals to people. And Bats are never a diet for Chinese
tables.
The report has further mentioned that ‘the Huanan
Seafood Market in China’s Wuhan is believed to be the epicentre of coronavirus,
which swept the world.’ But the reality is that no scientists around the world
have yet to confirm the market as the exact source of the coronavirus pandemic.
Likewise, the report has criticised China’s celebrations of the victory in its
people’s war against the outbreak. In my opinion, the criticism is nothing but
the result of envy of the great successes of China in the fight against the
epidemic.
Seafood Market in China’s Wuhan is believed to be the epicentre of coronavirus,
which swept the world.’ But the reality is that no scientists around the world
have yet to confirm the market as the exact source of the coronavirus pandemic.
Likewise, the report has criticised China’s celebrations of the victory in its
people’s war against the outbreak. In my opinion, the criticism is nothing but
the result of envy of the great successes of China in the fight against the
epidemic.
The report also mentioned that “Everyone here
(China) believes the outbreak is over and there’s nothing to worry about
anymore. It’s just a foreign problem now as far as they are concerned.”
This is also a black lie because China never holds such a selfish mentality and
it has already sent assistance to more than 180 countries to combat
coronavirus.
(China) believes the outbreak is over and there’s nothing to worry about
anymore. It’s just a foreign problem now as far as they are concerned.”
This is also a black lie because China never holds such a selfish mentality and
it has already sent assistance to more than 180 countries to combat
coronavirus.
Given aforesaid analysis, as a reader and journalist,
I wonder how credible media outlets can publish such a piece? Through
publishing this report, the media have called their credibility in question.
They have joined hands with Western propagandists and deviated from objective
journalism, which people never expect from any media outlet.
I wonder how credible media outlets can publish such a piece? Through
publishing this report, the media have called their credibility in question.
They have joined hands with Western propagandists and deviated from objective
journalism, which people never expect from any media outlet.
