China Misleading headlines used by western media
Recently, I came across two articles that gave the impression that the law in China is oppressive.

CBN News

Hong Kong — In an historic ruling, a 24-year-old man became the first person convicted in Hong Kong under China's expansive and contentious national security law on Tuesday. Leon Tong Ying-kit, a former restaurant cook, volunteered as a medic during the 2019 pro-democracy protests that rocked the city. He was convicted of terrorism and secession and faces a possible sentence of life in prison. 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hong-kong-protester-leon-tong-ying-kit-convicted-first-trial-china-national-security-law/

VOA News

A court in Beijing Tuesday gave Chinese property tycoon Ren Zhiqiang, who once referred to China’s top leader, Xi Jinping, as a “clown,” an 18-year prison sentence and a fine of $620,000 after finding him guilty of corruption, bribery, embezzlement of public funds and abuse of power as an executive of a state-owned enterprise.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hong-kong-protester-leon-tong-ying-kit-convicted-first-trial-china-national-security-law/  

TKL comment
In both cases, the western media gave the impression that the government of China acts in an oppressive manner towards its critics.

On closer reading, they were convicted for criminal activities. In the HK case, the protester drove his motor cycle into several police officers.

In the second case, the tycoon was found guilty of corruption, bribery, embezzlement of public funds and abuse of power as an executive of a state-owned enterprise.

https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/voa-news-china/chinese-property-tycoon-ren-zhiqiang-sentenced-18-year-corruption
   
While the two media reports did give further details, the headlines and summary did give the impression that they were convicted due to their opposition to the government.

This is the power of subtle brainwashing with slanted headlines. It is commonly adopted by the western media. 

Tan Kin Lian

Add Comment

---