China AOL Time Warner and News Corp "Deal" - The REAL Story - from China

China Daily - via People's Daily Online ^ | 9/6/01 | Big Brother PRC

[Enlightiator]

This "deal" is worse than reported in the US media. The Chinese version of the story makes it quite clear- not only are AOL Time Warner and Newscorp getting a small market near Hong Kong (which already has more liberal broadcasts) in exchange for the FULL US market as reported in the US media, but this "deal" is giving US "entertainment" programs in exchange for CCTV "news" (PRC propoganda).
The China Daily version of this great "deal":

China May Offer Access to News Corp and AOL

The country's TV broadcasting sector is likely to open the door to foreign entertainment companies in the immediate future, as negotiations between the industry watchdog and two US media giants reach their final stage.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television stated on Wednesday its negotiations with AOL-Time Warner and News Corp may be finalized soon with a happy ending.

The administration's head, Xu Guangchun, had earlier said that the two companies will be allowed to directly send TV programmes to residents in some parts of South China's Guangdong Province.

In return, the two have to guarantee that an English language channel, run by China Central TV (CCTV), will be broadcast and accessible to all American TV watchers.

The negotiations have been going on for quite some time, according to an administration official, who took part in the negotiations.

If the plans are finalized, it will be a major breakthrough in the country's TV broadcasting sector, as foreign companies are currently banned from entering this field.

Although more than 20 overseas TV channels, including HBO, Discovery, Star TV and CNBC, can be received by mainland hotels with three stars or above, this would be the first time that the average resident will legally be able to receive overseas channels at home.

AOL-Time Warner and News Corp will mainly provide entertainment-related programs, according to the official, while Channel 9, of CCTV, is a newly launched English language channel that mainly provide news and cultural programs.

Guangdong Province, where the two are expected to be broadcast first, is one of the most wealthy regions in the country, neighboring Hong Kong and Macao.

Residents there are expected to receive numerous TV programmers, including those from Hong Kong and Macao, more than most other mainland people.

Source: China Daily

[Clinton's a liar]

"When Nikon, Toyota, Hundai, Mitsubishi and Nippon want to sell goods here, they hire American marketing and advertising firms who really do understand us, who conduct focus groups and surveys, who know how to sell to us. They do not show Japanese actors showing off their Sentras and Kubota tractors, and I expect the Chinese to do the same with the flow of data to us."

First of all, the Japanese aren't the Chinese. Far from it. And, most importantly, this is not some 60 second commercial. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was completely out of the ordinary as far as a commercial success for anything over 60 seconds. The rest of the films from Asia that have been successful have been, for the most part, laughed at or had cult martial arts followings -- nothing deeper.

And the Chinese are a long way from even that. They'll be seen for what they are really quickly with their state-run news. Again, that's JMO. I don't see a boogey man here. I see a joke -- and the best way to defeat something is to riducule it.

[DBrow]

I posted this on another thread, it is relevant here:

another posters comment:

" I, for one, would think it to be a good thing to see what the Chinese government's "spin" on events is, in order to better understand how to counter their moves... "

My reply:

You make an excellent point, and I agree with you that it is free trade.

It also is a deal with the devil! As far as spin, there is a great deal of coordination between the broadcast media, print media, school curricula, and "the news" already*. Allowing the Chicoms into our media marketplace will, I fear, just be another way to amplify spin, another way to promote propaganda and dezinformatzia and tout it as "another viewpoint", when it will only be the same viewpoint from a calculated angle. If NPR or PBS does a piece on missile defense, ChicomTV can chime in with the "truth" about the terrible Chinese guidance systems that are so unreliable.

Free trade must be balanced with patriotism and a knowlege of history.

*Schoolkids across the US were taught about Frida Kahlo, the Mexican Communist bisexual artist and activist, and right after that NPR did a piece on her, and she was brought up several times on PBS. Now, the Post Office is printing a commemorative stamp, how timely! What a series of coincidences!

(emphasis added)

[Clinton's a liar]

LOL! Maybe one or two! How many people do you think that would frighten? It'd be a landslide, my friend.

Anyway, it's been a long day and I've got to go!

You guys have a good evening!

[DBrow]

"And the Chinese are a long way from even that"

Hope so. Lots depends on how much money they spend, and who gets to write copy for them, and run the cameras. jane is not with Ted anymore, and there is a raft of actors and writers who probably would work hard to promote the cause. Like the bunch who said they'd leave the US if Bush got elected? Or the producers and writers of Freinds, did you see the Rolling Stone interview with Anniston? She'd help with money and production tips, ubetcha!

I think that in a few years, the ChicomTV will look just like CNN and sound as reasonable as PRI or NPR.

I saw "Crouching Tiger..." and thought the cable scenes, flying over the rooftops, were a hoot. It was very Western in its production, though.

[ASaneGuy]

Since when does everybody cite People's Daily for fair and balanced news?

[willyboyishere]

They get "FRIENDS", we get their most popular game-show, "Wheel of Misfortune".

[Anonymous2]

you got it. 'see, they manage billions with socialism and communism'. i felt a lot safer when everyone recognized communism and socialism as the enemy it is. now, well, forget it, i'm getting nauseous.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

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