Tuesday, August 02, 2016

MediaFail: Where is Beijing's anger?

Not enough kitsch in your life? Just drive here. 

From the very widely-reproduced AFP article:
The test of the U.S.-made Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) system will be launched at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, in early July, a defense ministry source told AFP, in a move likely to irk Beijing even though it was arranged before Tsai took the helm.
Chinatopix:
Reports said Taiwan would test-fire its Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC3) missile system for the first time in New Mexico in July, which military experts said would surely infuriate China.
From The Diplomat:
In July, Taiwan will test-fire its Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles at a U.S. missile range. The test, though scheduled under Taiwan’s previous Kuomintang government, stands to raise tensions between Taiwan and China.
Of these, by far the most common was the AFP report, which was picked up by SCMP, the Japan Times, Yahoo.com, and others. AFP is very effective at what it does, as I've complained many times.

Many of us have noted over the years the way the media writes "X is happening soon! China will surely be angered!" which maintains the idea that Taiwan is the cause of tension. AFP's nonsense here is a good example. The missile test passed a couple of weeks ago.

Where is the anger?

But you won't see any of these media sites issuing a clarification or acknowledging and correcting the "error"...
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1 comment:

Wayne said...

Maybe the world will come to realise that the wolf is only huffing and puffing and the sheep in wolf's clothing is just that.