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Comment by usr1106 | Hacker News Reader

Interesting read. But always remember, China is a country that does not let their people know the truth what happens in the world (the great firewall). So I'm not all convinced that they let the world know the truth what happens in China. The article could be an honest personal report or it could be government-backed propaganda. How do we know?

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Sixth Tone was setup by the Chinese government to be more relatable to western audiences by sounding more critical, so you shouldn't take it at face value. On the other hand, it does provide useful information, and it could be seen as an attempt to provide higher quality news out of China.

After the Xi era, I think Chinese propaganda will actually move in a more critical/informative direction like Sixth Tone, since the current overt methods are losing effectiveness. But again, that could also just mean real reporting depending on how the government evolves.

I mean, NY Times shouldn't be taken at face value. Al Jazeera shouldn't be taken at face value. CBC shouldn't be taken at face value. Everybody has bias/interests and I fail to see how the stuff coming from Sixth Tone is any more objectionable.

Sixth Tone is owned and operated by the government, for the purposes and goals of the government. Does Trump control the NYT? I think he wishes he did, but no.

Everything is propaganda, so put on your critical thinking cap and judge for yourself.

True. In America it's both propaganda and entertainment; which is why all the 24/7 hate networks are really super dangerous when something like this is going on. People want their news byte. It's one thing to sensationalize studies for mundane stuff to make some spicy science news, but to do it ever day, on every unpublished study and exaggerate or extrapolate the most bizarre information; it just washes audiences in conflicting information that helps no one.

The question here is, "is is CCP propaganda, and how much of it?"

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