this post was submitted on 06 Aug 2023
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208
A Global Web of Chinese Propaganda Leads to a U.S. Tech Mogul (www.nytimes.com)
submitted 1 year ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/politics@lemmy.world
29 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

The Times unraveled a financial network that stretches from Chicago to Shanghai and uses American nonprofits to push Chinese talking points worldwide.

all 31 comments
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[–] MicroWave@lemmy.world 47 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

On the surface, No Cold War is a loose collective run mostly by American and British activists who say the West’s rhetoric against China has distracted from issues like climate change and racial injustice.

In fact, a New York Times investigation found, it is part of a lavishly funded influence campaign that defends China and pushes its propaganda. At the center is a charismatic American millionaire, Neville Roy Singham, who is known as a socialist benefactor of far-left causes.

…

Mr. Singham says he does not work at the direction of the Chinese government. But the line between him and the propaganda apparatus is so blurry that he shares office space — and his groups share staff members — with a company whose goal is to educate foreigners about “the miracles that China has created on the world stage.”

[–] SheeEttin@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

If he's so socialist and far-left, why in the world would he support China? They're politically communist in name only, and economically capitalist.

[–] Asafum@feddit.nl 1 points 1 year ago

Well even though I'm old enough where I should have already known this term, my time on lemmy has introduced me to Tankies.

My guess is this guy is a Tankie: if it has communism in it in any way shape or form then it's the most amazing thing ever and anything you say about it that would say otherwise is a dirty liberal lie.

Something like that.

[–] AProfessional@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Sounds like a perfect fit, claim to be socialist actually just be a greedy capitalist.

[–] AceFuzzLord@lemm.ee 14 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is just another reason to add to the many as to why (if you ask me) we need to both

a. To kill off the rich and...

b. Kill off the CCP.

Two wicked groups colluding against the common interests of keeping the world alive just so they can remain in power.

[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

I'd argue the CCP certainly doesn't care about keeping the planet alive. They care about keep those who are currently in power comfortable until they die, then I doubt they give a shit what happens.

[–] TokenBoomer@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Is this illegal?

[–] Alteon@lemmy.world 28 points 1 year ago (2 children)

No, but it's scummy as fuck, and it's interesting that an American is pushing Chinese talking points.

I think people are pretty well aware at this point that social engineering, on a macroscale, is extremely effective at changing people's views (albeit slowly). Look at what happened with Qanon, look how many people supported that. That was the dumbest thing I've ever seen, and people are STILL backing it even after it's been proven to not only be a sham, but run by a pedophile out of Southeast Asia. Imagine the damage that can be done by a disinformation or social engineering campaign backed by one of the largest nations in the world.

We are currently in a culture war - the implications of it could change everyone's lives in the next couple of decades if we aren't careful.

[–] TokenBoomer@lemmy.world -5 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Doesn’t the U.S. do this in other countries? If America does it, and it’s not illegal, why can’t China? Weird that they didn’t mention that it’s legal in the article, right?

[–] claymedia@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

No one said they can’t. But we can and should call out propaganda for what it is. Especially when it comes from authoritarian, genocidal, despotic governments.

[–] gullible@kbin.social 7 points 1 year ago (3 children)

This exchange reminds me of a key and peele sketch. Not illegal, but perfectly fine to admonish china for doing the thing that the us is constantly being admonished for, mx. Whataboutism.

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[–] TokenBoomer@lemmy.world -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

K&P are funny. It definitely is whataboutism. And China shouldn’t do it. But The NY Times fails to mention that it’s not illegal and other countries do this too. Is that good journalism?

[–] TIEPilot@lemmy.world -3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Its the NYT's when on the last 10-15 years have they been anything close to "journalists"?

[–] TokenBoomer@lemmy.world -3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

But democracy dies in darkness. /s

Edit: That’s the Washington Post.

[–] rustyfish@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It’s scummy when the US does it.

It’s scummy when China does it.

I hope I could help you understand.

I also would love to talk about anything China without someone coming up with the Yankees. JFC.

[–] yumcake@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I would like to learn more about what the U.S does to compete in the propaganda space. I worry about the fundamentally reduced agility in responding to competing powers that are much more centralized.

As far as I can tell, private industry leads American interest and since the private ownership is still spread amongst these individuals owners, there doesn't seem to be a coordinated drive to spread propaganda without a more direct linkage to profit. However in other countries with more centralized power the national power can dictate the messaging and then private companies follow suit, which allows for a much more coordinated effort.

[–] TokenBoomer@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

You are completely and utterly correct. America can’t compete. While China has 5 and 50 year plans, America is rudderless (discounting the military). Our goals change every 2 to 4 years with new administrations. This is one of the reasons I believe America will inevitably go fascist and centralize control of the government in the coming years. It can’t compete with China’s economy and outreach. So it will adapt by imitation.

[–] felixthecat@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think with evidence provided that they should have to register under FARA as foreign agents for China here to spread Chinese propaganda. I'm sure the writer of the article informed them.

[–] TokenBoomer@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Capitalism is global now and so is the internet. They don’t have to register because they’re not in America. The only way to stop this is to shut down the internet and isolate the country. This article is mad at China because it’s beating America with capitalism.

[–] Toad_the_Fungus@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

https://archive.is/rIHwC

[–] felixthecat@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

Seems like China is doing anything and everything to avoid having its propaganda being labeled as such. No one will listen to Chinese propaganda if they know that's what it is.

All 4 of these companies should have to register under FARA or face civil penalties.

That final photo should be the nail in the coffin to force those orgs to register.