China Bullying Everyone

It is a well-known fact that China censors their media outlets, and that those in mainland China are subject to what the government wants the people to know. However, China’s censorship may be traveling over borders, creating a larger scale censorship operation.

According to CNN, China overtly creates an atmosphere for censorship, like refusing visas to those reporting in the country, or giving strict orders not to publish or publicize certain news or information. Further, the latest and greatest avenue for creating censorship abroad is done financially.

China creates incentives for smaller media organizations to abide by China’s rules, by promising and delivering advertising, lucrative contracts with non-media enterprises, and access to broad audiences.  These financial incentives are what create a self-censoring media outlet. In order to receive the promises, these media sources must censor themselves, and make their money maker, China, happy. 

Closing out the quarter, learning about media and communication abroad, this issue is something that our media organizations must be weary of.  Is it possible with the growing influence of China to have all news organizations censored? While it may sound a bit drastic, it isn’t too far off. I ask you, my fellow classmates, do you think it possible for one nation to reach across all borders? 

http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/28/how-chinese-censorship-is-reaching-overseas/