The U.S. Department of State recently released a report accusing China of spending billions annually on influence, censorship, and disinformation efforts aimed at shaping global perceptions. According to the report, these activities pose a threat to global media freedom and freedom of speech.
In response, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry dismissed the U.S. report as disinformation, arguing that it misrepresents facts and serves as a form of information cold warfare against China. Chinese officials claim that Western media outlets are collaborating with U.S. politicians to demonize China, while neglecting to acknowledge the significant propaganda efforts employed by the U.S. to maintain its global dominance.
This tension echoes past instances where both nations have been scrutinized for their information tactics. For example, in August 2022, the Stanford Internet Observatory and Graphika revealed covert U.S. influence efforts to promote pro-Western narratives on social media platforms.
Critics argue that the West has long manipulated global information, propagating falsehoods to justify actions such as aggression and interference in developing nations. They cite the U.S.'s disinformation campaign regarding Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction as a notorious example, which led to significant geopolitical consequences in Iraq.
As cooperation between Chinese media and international outlets continues to grow, the U.S. remains wary, emphasizing the need to scrutinize global narratives. The ongoing debate highlights the complex dynamics of information warfare and its impact on international relations and media freedom.
Reference(s):
Decoding U.S. claim of so-called Chinese disinformation campaigns
cgtn.com
