2 posts (part 2)

The following is a taken from an article on slashdot:

Over the past few weeks Chinese bloggers and people on Internet forums have been reacting to events in Tibet and the protests disrupting the torch relay. The BBC and Global Voices have interesting insights on the recent happenings on the Net. A western commentator says, 'Lots of Chinese people now view the Western media, human rights groups, and Western leaders' criticisms of their country as part of the Racist Western Conspiracy to Stop China From Being Successful.' One of the most vocal appeals by the Chinese blogs, forums, and text-messages has been to boycott French goods in response to the protests that accompanied the torch relay in Paris. One response post reads, 'Who is abusing human rights? Who is bringing violence to this world?' There also are two versions of music video of the song Don't Be Too CNN, and its lyric has assumed the status of a cult catch-phrase. Sina.com has a popular page: 'Don't be too CNN, fire to the Western media.' Many analysts believe that the protests over Tibet have only served to strengthen Chinese nationalism rather than evoke sympathy for the Tibetan cause. Sina.com has a petition against the Western media which has reportedly accumulated millions of signatures. There is also Mutant Palm, a blog by an expatriate in China who has been watching and commenting on the fallout from Tibet and torch protests online.

And so, at the risk of saying "Told you so", that is what happens when you protest to a nation with no free media. Hands up anyone who thinks they get the full story? The reason behind the protests? The history, the full facts? Now hands up those who think they got an edited version, heavy on violence towards chinese, big on over zealous security forces with a cross reference bit on guantanamo, iraq torture, and anything else that can be pulled up and edited to show human rights violations perpetrated by the west?

Why do all those who think they are doing the 'right thing' fail to see the big picture and the obvious outcome and consequences? Protest by all means, but do it in the right way to the right audience.


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