Chinese TV Censors Part of Address by Obama


From the NY Times:
Chinese TV Censors Part of Address by Obama - NYTimes.com
This is something to think about the next time you or I buy something made in China.
President Obama’s 18-minute Inaugural Address on Tuesday was generally lauded by Americans for its candor and conviction. But the Chinese Communist Party apparently thought the new American president’s gilded words were a little too direct.

China Central Television, or CCTV, the main state-run network, broadcast the address live until the moment Mr. Obama mentioned “communism” in a line about the defeat of ideologies considered anathema to Americans. After the translator said “communism” in Chinese, the audio faded out even as Mr. Obama’s lips continued to move.

CCTV then showed an anchor asking an analyst about the economic challenges that President Obama faces. The analyst was clearly caught off guard by the sudden question.

The offending line in the president’s speech was this: “Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.”

Later, the president went on to say: “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”

Chinese translations of the address published Wednesday by state-run news organizations here and on prominent Web portals omitted that line and the word “communism” in the earlier line. The government, however, allowed the full English text of the address to be published.
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Comments

  1. I am speechless each time I hear about the state run media in China and the arcane censorship that they seem to come up with. I am hoping that as a younger generation progresses that so will their views on censorship. Great post!

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  2. What gets me even more is that we have an economic blockade on Cuba and yet we send our athletes to China for the Olympics. What a double standard.

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