There comes to a level of nationalism in journalism that trends a full time full-tilt kind of bias, to the point that “bias” seems almost inadequate. This is now in the Western media.
Take couple of stories, (really non-stories made into stories).
(1) “USS Cowpens: Why China forced a confrontation at sea with US Navy“.
(2) “China Rejects More US Corn Amid Trade Tensions“.
(1) note the title, “USS Cowpens: Why China forced a confrontation at sea with US Navy“. A newspeak in itself.
So, China didn’t “confront” US navy, just “forced” US into a “confrontation”?? Righteous-ness in violence? Right off bat?
Let’s gleam some facts:
(a) the US missile cruiser was admittedly tailing the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning (the only 1), getting close to try to monitor its operations. See map above.
This was not looking for “confrontation”??
Liaoning was conducting drills with other vessels. Obviously the USS Cowpens crew knew that. Instead of just watching from afar, which given US’s advanced technologies, they could have, the Cowpens’ crew decides to steam the ship directly toward Liaoning.
According to US, the usual “freedom of navigation” excuse comes out. But the Cowpens was apparently not at all concerned about the “freedom to operate” for the Liaoning crew.
Well that’s funny, because (b) when Russian bombers went too close to US navy ships, US sent interceptor fighters. (In the Western Pacific, aka, near Russia)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/2008/02/12/us-navy-intercepts-russian-bombers-flying-near-ships/
So, what happened to other nations’ “freedom of navigation” when coming too close to a US carrier??
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(2) “China Rejects More US Corn Amid Trade Tensions“.
Another war-drumming title.
News flash, nations reject GMO crops all the time. (China rejects far less than many other nations).
It’s hardly any surprise, since US shippers knew that China didn’t approve this specific strain of GMO corn yet. But they nevertheless flaunted Chinese rules, and shipped them any ways.
Why does this have any thing to do with “trade tensions”?
Why not call it, “Why US FORCED a Confrontation with Existing Chinese Restriction on Some GMO Corn”??!
Because really, China did exactly what the rules said they were going to do, and no one said China was wrong with the rules.
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Here is the point:
If some “democracy” advocates wants to remove “censorship”, I have no problem with that. If you want to point to some obviously ridiculous Chinese state media story, and call BS, go right ahead. Others can dispute your version.
But when I see the products of Western media tilting so off the cliff, I have to say, I’m not seeing the appeal of the dumbass’ version of “freedom nationalism” in journalism. (And the 2 articles are cited from supposedly more reputable sources).
All I can see is, Nationalism should be curbed, and “freedom” is not cutting it.
ersim says
How about “freedom of expression” in being a public relations branch of the U.S. government in promoting patriotic nationalistic fanatical fervor? XD
Ray says
Typical US bigotry and exceptionalism at work. If a Chinese warship is closing in on a US carrier battle group the same way as USS Cowpens, the title would have almost been the same.
And if the 2nd scenario is reversed. It would be China trying to poison Americans. The underlying message is, it is always China’s fault!
ho hon says
John 18:38 – “What is truth?”
YinYang says
The U.S. media wants more confrontation between the U.S. and China because it’s better business – and because a large segment of the U.S. ruling elite wants that way. This is the sorry state of “free” press.
Black Pheonix says
@YinYang
I wouldn’t venture to guess what the “ruling elites” in US want. They are probably pretty divergent on their interests.
I think it’s more because the Western journalists find it very easy to sell such stories, particularly to their editors.
Like I said previously, the “China hand” journalists were probably rarely ever fact-checked in their research.
If I was a journalist, China would be the jackpot job. One gets to write BS for money, with almost no oversight. And the more BS you write, the more others think you are an “expert”.
It’s classic “yellow journalism”.
Black Pheonix says
US Pentagon now “downplays” the incident, predictably.
http://www.voanews.com/content/pentagon-downplays-south-china-sea-near-collision-cowpens-liaoning/1811768.html