 |
| Shaun Rein |
Shaun Rein:
CNN’s China team, in a complete failure of journalistic integrity, decided last week to become the news rather than just report it. The actor Christian Bale called CNN to follow him as he drove for eight hours to confront police to try to see Chen Guangcheng, a blind legal activist being held in his home in the eastern Chinese village of Linyi. Bale was in China to promote his movie about the Rape of Nanking by Japanese troops in 1937.
CNN did Bale one better. It became complicit in Bale’s activism by actually planning the trip and driving him to Linyi. CNN reporter Steven Jiang then translated for Bale as he argued with Chinese police officers and refused to comply with their directives to leave. CNN posted video of the trip on its website, calling it exclusive, showing police forcing Bale to leave while Bale chastised the government, saying its treatment of Chen ”represents the power structure and their attitude towards their own citizens, which is disgusting.”..
As Adam Minter, of Bloomberg in Shanghai, tweeted, “News orgs that want to maintain their credibility in China don’t set up confrontations between cops and celebrities, at celebrity request.” Minter hit the nail on the head. Journalists need to maintain objectivity and cover both sides of a problem rather than become the story by being activists. CNN’s China coverage has lost what little credibility it had with this escapade, and that is a terrible shame, for the network has often shed light on areas that needed more light.More in Forbes.
Shaun Rein is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form.
Related articles
- China's rich get richer and more confident - Shaun Rein (chinaherald.net)
- Batman star Christian Bale roughed up while trying to visit China pro-life activist (deaconjohnspace.wordpress.com)
- Batman star Christian Bale roughed up while trying to visit China pro-life activist (deaconforlife.blogspot.com)
- Christian Bale punched while trying to visit Chinese activist (telegraph.co.uk)
5 comments:
Shaun pissed off it wasn't him with Bale?
I do not think so. In this case I firmly agree with Shaun's basic argument (mostly I just hope our speakers cause a stir, without giving my own verdict). CNN should not take this activist' approach as a professional media organization. Having said that, since Fox News has appeared the illusion of US media organizations being 'objective' does not seem to exist any more.
angelina jolie, george clooney, the u2 guy, they all do this .. not a big deal
cnn's sins are far more egregious, pravda for the usa
There is no way Rein can claim ignorance on CGC. Just no way. Holocaust? What Holocaust?
Everything Rein says is designed to sell either his company (which is mostly just him and a few interns) or his upcoming book. I find this repulsive.
Rein was correct in that it appeared a stunt, I was surprised to see the footage. While it does bring the case to wider attention, it was a mistake to link it to his book. However we all make mistakes, no need to flame the guy for it - as has been going on elsewhere.
Was Rein correct to question CNNs motives? Yes.
Did he think the piece through properly? No.
Rein is a valuable member of the various China commentators out there, and like many he'll learn from this. His contributions to China are far greater than his cock ups, and I think we can forgive him - it is the season for it after all! Happy New Year - Chris
Post a Comment