Chinese state-backed Global Times calls on WION to 'think independently'; We respond!
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The Global Times recently ran an article asking WION, and other India media outlets to “think independently”
The world is currently reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, the US is witnessing mass protests, and a Chinese state-backed media outlet is teaching journalism to WION.
The Global Times recently ran an article asking WION, and other India media outlets to “think independently”.
Ironically, the Global Times is owned by the People's Daily which is the official newspaper of the central committee of the Communist Party of China.
The publication is perceived as the lifeline of Beijing’s propaganda machinery, and is now asking “India media to shake off west’s [sic] influence”.
This is what the state mouthpiece had to say about WION:
“One column in WION, published on May 19, calls on India to back Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA), in line with a number of countries led by the US, regardless of the internationally recognized "one China" principle”.
For starters, there is no such “internationally recognised principle”. In fact, many countries like Canada, Japan, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia did not endorse this so-called principle.
Also read: Report reveals collective negligence by China and WHO in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic
Countries as far as Swaziland and Nicaragua have expressed support for Taiwan's independence.
The Global Times further accused India of blaming China for the outbreak, “As the world continues the arduous fight against the coronavirus, some Indian observers have gone so far as to blame china for the outbreak”.
However, there is no mention of the missing whistleblowers, or China’s collusion with the World Health Organization (WHO).
'Anxiety of Indians'?
The publication goes on to say “The overemphasis on or even resentment toward China reflects the anxiety of Indians”.
The Global Times while asking Indian media to “think independently” routinely issues open threats on behalf of the Chinese regime.
For instance, on May 13, the publication did a story on the Chinese army's upcoming drills in August. This is how they pitched it - “military exercises can turn into action any time”, while quoting an expert, but selling it as their own message.
The same Global Times calls China's expansionism in the South China Sea a bid for “better management”. The media outlet also labelled Australia as a “paper cat” in 2016 saying " “paper cat” Australia will learn its lesson".
The Global Times has also accused other major international publications like The New York Times and Washington Post for spreading misinformation about China.