Friday, July 18, 2008

The SCMP creates an old-fashioned riot

Sanlitun, a bar street in Beijing, China, at n...Sanlitun
via WikipediaThe South China Morning Post organized an old-fashioned anti-China riot by publishing an article that claimed that bar-owners in Beijing were forced not to serve black people. The proof of this was pretty flimsy: one anonymous bar-owner at Sanlitun.
I found the article remarkable for two reasons. First, because of its firm anti-China tone, while the South China Morning Post had adopted (as far as I could read them) since 1997 a pro-China tone that would even be considered nauseating by the editors of the China Daily.
Second, it fitted nicely into their old tradition in coming with firm allegations, based on nothing, so they could sell the next day their paper again with a firm denial of a false rumor they had created themselves in the first place.
Unfortunately, in the current times of the internet, it took only an hour to get a firm denial. Watch here what happened when I posted a link to the article on Friendfeed:

You posted a link
Authorities order bars not to serve black people (SCMP)
2 hours ago - Comment - Hide - More
I don't find any proof for that claim in the article, except unnamed bar owners. Really vile reporting style. - Carsten Ullrich via feedalizr
I agree, but the SCMP has such a pro-Beijing tone, I guessed there must be some truth in it, but indeed, proof is lacking - You
Boyce rebutted this story. Worth a look: http://www.beijingboyce.com/20... - sage brennan
In the past the SCMP could write whatever they wanted; now they get debunked with an hour and look foolish - You
I'm sure that'll do wonders for their PR campaign with African diploamtic "friends." Anyhow, diplomacy is a game that political entities play for their own agendas. - Mark Forman
And more people are confused; obvious not yet on FF: http://time-blog.com/china_blo... - You

Well, no need to buy tomorrow's South China Morning Post to read the denial of their false rumor.
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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't know why you are so quick to dismiss this story.

We know from past events there have been crackdowns on blacks, with mass arrests and beatings. This is a FACT. Given the past actions, it does not surprise me that the police are at it again.

Also, did you expect the bar owners to go on record? Be real. No bar owner is going to do that.

Also, if the story is false, why would the bar owners or the SCMP put it out there? Are you accusing the reporter or the bar owners of making it up?

I don't know why you are apologizing for the ugly behavior of the police. But then again, you're white and should have know problem getting a drink during the Olympics.

5:31 AM
China Herald said...

First, there is no proof in the article and you would need a bit more than one anonymous bar owner to get a credible story. On top of that the SCMP has a reputation from the 1990s of printing heavy handed allegations that proved to be wrong in most cases.
You hope media do not get it wrong in those cases, but selling papers has always been a more important argument. I have heard since the story was printed only denials.

9:56 AM

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