West's coverage of China - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chilcutt · #1 11-08-2010, 11:26 PM

Western media coverage of China's human rights record is often biased and lacking in perspective. Among other things, the Western media appears to focus on one facet of developements-human rights- but ignores the bigger picture.
The media ..could do more to recognise the true extent of China's astonishing achievements, and ask themselves: Is it really clear that the prescriptions being offered would help China in its continued developement? do we not think that the Chinese leaders know what is good for their country?
Once among the world's poorest countries, China has lifted 300 million people -more than the total population of 310 million- out of poverty. It has become the world's second largest economy after the US, manned by a talented population that is motivated to turn China into a greater power.
It also has an effective leadership succession system that ensures the best reach the top to govern.

China's leaders have said that Western-style liberal democracy or media would just hinder the country's growth.
The rest of the world will do well to understand the issues China faces, the results it has achieved and its perspectives, before offering criticisims and prescriptions.

It would be quite unfair to give prominence to one facet, the human rights record, as defined by the liberal democracy's, without considering the whole picture-'the human rights record'- which is the continued upliftment of millions of people.

Chas H · #2 11-09-2010, 12:10 AM

China is an oligarchy which doesn't care much about human rights.
The US was founded on the principle of human rights, not industrial growth.
When the Chinese come for your land to further their achievements maybe you will then better appreciate their "perspective".

compress ignite · #3 11-09-2010, 12:19 AM

Chilcutt,

You're a "Shill" (Prognosticator/Lobbyist) for the Architects of the Tianamen
Square Massacre!

The Idioten in power who control the PRC have no ones interest ,EXCEPT
their bank accounts in mind!

The filthy Communists(Masquerading as Capitalists) have NO INTENTION OF "UPLIFTING" anyone except Themselves!!!

I pray every night for the papers in the morning to carry the stories of the
the U.S. Navy finally laying waste to Everything MILITARY in their reach
within the PRC ! (Let's bring back a modern day version of the "Sand Pebbles".)

["Comerade, What's that Cruise Missile doing in the Streets of Bejing?"]

10fords · #4 11-09-2010, 12:33 AM

I really need to find that barfing emoticon. Can anyone help me? This is just BS on so many levels but I will try to simplify it for you- FREEDOM. In the U S if you don't like something you are free to protest, or try to change it, or if all else fails you are free to LEAVE. In China you can certainly try these things, only problem is you will end up in jail or dead. In my opinion the only thing that saves us from the same fate is the 2nd amendment. Without that protection we would be just as "uplifted" as the Chinese. All that being said, I'll bet that if you gave the common workers in China the freedom to come to the U S, and vice versa, there would be a lot of empty ships and planes going East, but not much room on the West bound ships and planes.

davidmash · #5 11-09-2010, 12:51 AM

Chilcutt,

I get that they are improving the situation of some of their people from pathetic to something better but come on. I usually see your point but on this one you lost me. The control all sources of information. Speak out and you go to jail .. if you are lucky. The concept of freedom of religion or thought is alien. If the government wants you home, land or village for a project they take it and you have no recourse. How many mining accidents have they had? How many people get sick from the crap being spewed in the air and water due to lack of any regulation?

Yes I know you can find examples of these things in the US and abroad but they are more the exception than the rule. And yes there is huge bias in the US media against anything that the US is afraid of. Look how the media dealt with the USSR. China is probably not as bad as the western media makes them out to be but I know I would rather be here than there any day of the week.

chilcutt · #6 11-09-2010, 02:36 AM

The US media has a wider and freer role than the press in other countries. But American society, being large, rich and stable, is strong enough to endure the potential damage of having a media that does not always live up to its ideals of being judicious, fair and independant.
The US has 'built-in stability' There can be fringe lunatic behavior, but mainstrean Americans are sensible and rational, and extremeist sentiment will not threaten the very fabric of society.
In many developeing society's however, the glue holding society together is not as strong and these societies can easily rupture along tribal, ethnic, and relgious lines.
In the case of China,(and many other countries), racial and religious fault lines can be easily exploited.
Given these differances, my point is that what works for the US-its media and American-style democracy- may not easily be transposed elsewhere.
The US system will impose costs which large , rich country like the US can afford: the cost is too high for many other places.

chilcutt · #7 11-09-2010, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compress ignite

Chilcutt,

You're a "Shill" (Prognosticator/Lobbyist) for the Architects of the Tianamen
Square Massacre!

The Idioten in power who control the PRC have no ones interest ,EXCEPT
their bank accounts in mind!

The filthy Communists(Masquerading as Capitalists) have NO INTENTION OF "UPLIFTING" anyone except Themselves!!!

I pray every night for the papers in the morning to carry the stories of the
the U.S. Navy finally laying waste to Everything MILITARY in their reach
within the PRC ! (Let's bring back a modern day version of the "Sand Pebbles".)

["Comerade, What's that Cruise Missile doing in the Streets of Bejing?"]

But..thank you for judging me..you have thus sealed your fate~

chilcutt · #8 11-09-2010, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10fords

I really need to find that barfing emoticon. Can anyone help me? This is just BS on so many levels but I will try to simplify it for you- FREEDOM. In the U S if you don't like something you are free to protest, or try to change it, or if all else fails you are free to LEAVE. In China you can certainly try these things, only problem is you will end up in jail or dead. In my opinion the only thing that saves us from the same fate is the 2nd amendment. Without that protection we would be just as "uplifted" as the Chinese. All that being said, I'll bet that if you gave the common workers in China the freedom to come to the U S, and vice versa, there would be a lot of empty ships and planes going East, but not much room on the West bound ships and planes.

"IT is better to remain silent-and to be thought a fool. Than to open ones mouth, and erase all doubts.

Abraham Lincoln~

LaRondo · #9 11-09-2010, 03:29 AM

"western media" is a bit too generic of a term, as media in Western Europe does not protrait China in the same 'extreme' way as US media.

LaRondo · #10 11-09-2010, 03:34 AM

Alltogether in a nutshell, the few responses sofar, show - on rough scale - the OP is right.

What amazes me the most is, that nobody has the spritz to use his/her brain and try to think behind the obvious. It's so typical.

chilcutt · #11 11-09-2010, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaRondo

"western media" is a bit too generic of a term, as media in Western Europe does not protrait China in the same 'extreme' way as US media.

Yes, 'Western Media' ia a rather broadstroke. Lets take a look at American media for a momemt. The questions that arise from outside observers include: Does the media in the US always pursue the truth and seek to enlighten the readers?
Do parts of the US media act as campain arms of politicians, peddle half-truths and present biased perspectives?
Do viewers get to the truth or do they rely on their preferred media source, seeking to confirm their own prejudices?
Is it financially more lucrative for the media to serve up red meat to a secure base of viewers, rather than seek the middle ground?
To what extent does money affect the traditional theory of a market place of ideas? If a particular group can buy more campain advertisements, will that group not have an advantage?
How does it help democracy if pursuant to the principles of free speech: large groups can play a big financial role in elections?
Can people make informed choices when campaign ads have little relation to the facts or the serious issues? Would not the truth be swift boaded,as it were, and distinguished records tarnished through unfair means?

My basic point is that each of us has to choose what works for us. Over time, it is possible that a set of core values can evolve across counties-but has to be agreed to rather than imposed.

chilcutt · #12 11-09-2010, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compress ignite

Chilcutt,

You're a "Shill" (Prognosticator/Lobbyist) for the Architects of the Tianamen
Square Massacre!

The Idioten in power who control the PRC have no ones interest ,EXCEPT
their bank accounts in mind!

The filthy Communists(Masquerading as Capitalists) have NO INTENTION OF "UPLIFTING" anyone except Themselves!!!

I pray every night for the papers in the morning to carry the stories of the
the U.S. Navy finally laying waste to Everything MILITARY in their reach
within the PRC ! (Let's bring back a modern day version of the "Sand Pebbles".)

["Comerade, What's that Cruise Missile doing in the Streets of Bejing?"]

See: www.ratical.org/ratville/cah/warisaracket.pdf Note: Major General Smedly Butler U.S.M.C.

10fords · #13 11-09-2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilcutt

"IT is better to remain silent-and to be thought a fool. Than to open ones mouth, and erase all doubts.

Abraham Lincoln~

This we can agree on.

chilcutt · #14 11-09-2010, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10fords

This we can agree on.

Its only natural, afterall, I am just a Plumber, you are just an Electrician..And we are both just ordinary men~

InsyaAllah

450slcguy · #15 11-09-2010, 10:36 AM

I'm beginning to understand the uproar in NYC about building a mosque near ground zero. It's becoming quite clear that a transformation from being a moderate Muslim to radical one is occuring.