Us Accuses China Of Global Media Manipulation

The United States has accused China of wielding significant influence over global media through tactics such as censorship, data collection, and secretive acquisitions of foreign news outlets. The U.S. State Department issued a report on Thursday, raising concerns that this trend could result in a significant reduction in global freedom of expression. The report revealed that Beijing allocates billions of dollars annually to information manipulation efforts. These endeavors include acquiring stakes in foreign media entities through both public and undisclosed means, sponsoring online influencers, and securing distribution deals that promote Chinese government content without clear labeling. The Chinese embassy in Washington has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the report's findings. Earlier this year, in response to a NATO communique that accused China of coercive policies and disinformation dissemination, Beijing dismissed the statement, claiming it ignored factual realities and deliberately discredited China. The timing of this report coincides with ongoing controversies surrounding China's efforts to expand the global reach of its state-controlled media, especially as geopolitical competition between China and the United States intensifies. Chinese leaders have been actively countering what they perceive as negative portrayals of China in international media. The State Department's Global Engagement Center, citing public reports and newly acquired government information, detailed how China has cultivated its own information ecosystem by co-opting foreign political figures and journalists. The report also highlighted China's investments in satellite networks and digital television services in developing regions, with a focus on disseminating content from Chinese state-backed media. The report further emphasized that Chinese data collection efforts overseas have allowed Beijing to fine-tune global censorship by targeting specific individuals and organizations. It cautioned that if left unchecked, Beijing's actions could lead to a significant curtailment of global freedom of expression. Despite China's substantial resources devoted to these endeavors, the report noted that it has faced "major setbacks" when targeting democratic nations, largely due to resistance from local media and civil society. The report was produced under congressional mandate to provide a detailed account of state-led information manipulation.