Chinese Gov't Gives Press Orders On How To Report On Google's China Decision
from the the-ministry-of-truth dept
It's no secret that the Chinese gov't issues "directives" on how the press ought to report on certain stories if they want to stay out of trouble, so it's interesting (found via the NY Times Bits Blog) that the orders that were sent around on how to report on the news of Google leaving China have leaked. The basic order notes that China switched its services to Hong Kong, says that reporters should use text from (state run) Xinhua, and says "don't play it up," in reference to the story. The more complete document is as follows:All chief editors and managers:Separately, that site points to an amusing transcript of a reporter calling the Chinese gov't to get official comments on the news of Google leaving China.
Google has officially announced its withdrawal from the China market. This is a high-impact incident. It has triggered netizens' discussions which are not limited to a commercial level. Therefore please pay strict attention to the following content requirements during this period:
A. News Section
1. Only use Central Government main media (website) content; do not use content from other sources
2. Reposting must not change title
3. News recommendations should refer to Central government main media websites
4. Do not produce relevant topic pages; do not set discussion sessions; do not conduct related investigative reporting;
5. Online programs with experts and scholars on this matter must apply for permission ahead of time. This type of self-initiated program production is strictly forbidden.
6. Carefully manage the commentary posts under news items.
B. Forums, blogs and other interactive media sections:
1. It is not permitted to hold discussions or investigations on the Google topic
2. Interactive sections do not recommend this topic, do not place this topic and related comments at the top
3. All websites please clean up text, images and sound and videos which attack the Party, State, government agencies, Internet policies with the excuse of this event.
4. All websites please clean up text, images and sound and videos which support Google, dedicate flowers to Google, ask Google to stay, cheer for Google and others have a different tune from government policy
5. On topics related to Google, carefully manage the information in exchanges, comments and other interactive sessions
6. Chief managers in different regions please assign specific manpower to monitor Google-related information; if there is information about mass incidents, please report it in a timely manner.
We ask the Monitoring and Control Group to immediately follow up monitoring and control actions along the above directions; once any problems are discovered, please communicate with respected sessions in a timely manner.
Addition guidelines:
- Do not participate in and report Google’s information/press releases
- Do not report about Google exerting pressure on our country via people or events
- Related reports need to put [our story/perspective/information] in the center, do not provide materials for Google to attack relavent policies of our country
- Use talking points about Google withdrawing from China published by relevant departments
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Filed Under: china, ministry of truth, reporting
Companies: google
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Sigh....
That transcript is an amazing example of what happens when beuracracy simply gets too big. It can work when it's on a smaller scale, or if it's specifically managed into small mostly autonomous offices or subsections, but when it's big? Absolutely paralyzing....
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Re: Sigh....
- Ron Swanson, Parks & Recreation
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So it seems like a win-win to me. Reporters and journalists can now focus on reporting more stories because the burdensome task of determining the truth has already been done for them. China is certainly a glorious paradise.
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But my brain kept shouting, "Why would they say it like that? Why wouldn't they just keep the control but be more subtle....like in America?"
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Is a country that is openly undemocratic worse that one that is secretly so?
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Every time I've been overseas, I've found that everyone is very well versed and understands quite well the political implications of decisions that affect them. They are not in the dark about things such as ACTA, even in China.
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of course that just makes the problem even worse.
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There, fixed that for you.
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I hate to invoke Godwin's law, but would Microsoft not have any problem doing business in 1930's Germany?
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Why not... IBM did.
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Damn, beat me to it. In fact, several things I've read indicate that the Nazi's use of IBM's punch cards to handle the logistics of transporting captured Jews/Gypsies/etc. is what gave them the boost that led to their hayday...
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That's the way the interwebs should be run
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Re: That\'s the way the interwebs should be run
In the rest of the world: dear citizin, you should pay us to think
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Re: Re: That\\\'s the way the interwebs should be run
TFTFY
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In china
In a related note i have to give credit to google for actually pulling out of the censorship deal with china. I never thought the company would cut itself off from 1 billion potential customers. Please pass the salt, i need to eat my hat.
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Re: In china
It is all a matter of where the line is drawn. Which restrictions are tolerable for the benefit of society (and therefore for your own benefit as well).
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Re: In china
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This Has Been Tried Before
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Firsthand experience in China
And in China they never go to church.
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I
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this
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