The U.S. accuses China of global media manipulation. On Thursday, the U.S. warned that China’s censorship, data collection, and undercover purchases of international news sites might lead to a “sharp contraction” of worldwide freedom of speech.
According to the U.S. State Department, Beijing has spent billions of dollars on information manipulation, including acquiring stakes in foreign media through “public and non-public means,” sponsoring online influencers, and securing distribution agreements for unlabeled Chinese government content.
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not reply to a request for comment. Beijing replied to a NATO declaration accusing it of coercive practices and disseminating disinformation in July, claiming it ignored basic facts, purposefully degraded China, and misrepresented its policies.
As geopolitical competition between Beijing and Washington has increased, the U.S. assessment calls into question China’s recent efforts to spread its government-controlled media globally. The Chinese government has fought foreign media’s unflattering portrayal of China.
Using public reports and “newly acquired government information,” the State Department’s Global Engagement Center said Beijing had co-opted foreign political leaders and media to construct its information ecosystem. It invests in satellite networks and digital T.V. services in emerging countries, emphasizing Chinese state-backed media.
Chinese data collecting abroad “has enabled Beijing to fine-tune global censorship by targeting specific individuals and organizations,” it claimed.
“Unchecked, Beijing’s efforts could result in…. a sharp contraction of global freedom expression,” the study stated.
The congressionally mandated assessment on official information manipulation found that Beijing had suffered “major setbacks” when targeting democratic countries owing to opposition to local media and civil society despite extraordinary campaign resources.
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