Chinese Media Censor Obama's Speech
China’s Authorities Edit the U.S. President’s Inauguration
Jan 21, 2009
China is a country renowned for her censorship of the media, despite having relaxed Internet restrictions during the Beijing Olympics. However, since the completion of the Olympic Games, China has fallen back into old routines.
The latest evidence of media control comes as Chinese authorities edit Barack Obama’s inauguration speech.
Xinhua News Agency Edits Obama’s Speech
The Xinhua News Agency, the official press agency of the government of the People’s Republic of China, have done their utmost to prevent the Chinese people from knowing everything that Obama said in his speech.
While the English version of the speech remains unedited on the Xinhua News Agency’s website, the Chinese translation omits certain words that China deems to be of a sensitive nature.
In his address, President Obama said, “Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.”
The Chinese-language version of this statement found on the Xinhua News Agency website remains intact, except for the fact that the word “communism” has been taken out.
Chinese Television Ignores Communist Remark
The country’s main broadcaster, China Central Television, broadcast the speech live accompanied with a Chinese translation.
Nevertheless, when Obama mentioned “facing down communism” the translator’s voice faded somewhat and the programme went straight to the presenter in the studio.
The presenter appeared to flounder, as she had not been expecting to be back on air so soon. Regardless, she completely overlooked what Obama had said as she quickly asked a guest a question.
Time to Change Obama’s Message
Obama’s inauguration took place at noon in Washington D.C., unfortunately for the President this meant that the time in China was 1am.
Inevitably very few Chinese people witnessed Obama’s inauguration address live, therefore the vast majority of Chinese people were getting their first glimpse of the momentous occasion on Wednesday morning.
By the time Chinese people rose from their beds, media outlets had censored various parts of the speech.
Along with the exclusion of Obama’s communism remark, another passage that didn’t make the final cut is as follows: “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history.”
China Weary of Obama
Censorship of Obama’s address comes amidst worry on behalf of Chinese authorities with regards to America’s new president.
China appears to be nervous because President George W. Bush adopted a more friendly approach to China than many of his predecessors. Authorities in China are now weary that Obama may not take up a similar stance.
The state-run newspaper, China Daily, summed up these fears best by saying, “Given the popular American eagerness for a break from the Bush years, many wonder, or worry to be precise, whether the new president would ignore the hard-earned progress in bilateral ties.”
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Obama Speech Censored in China
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