Chinese TV Censors Part of Inaugural Address by Obama

[babylonsister]

Chinese TV Censors Part of Address by Obama

By EDWARD WONG and JONATHAN ANSFIELD
Published: January 21, 2009


BEIJING — President Obama’s 18-minute Inaugural Address on Tuesday was generally lauded by Americans for its candor and conviction. But the Chinese Communist Party apparently thought the new American president’s gilded words were a little too direct.

China Central Television, or CCTV, the main state-run network, broadcast the address live until the moment Mr. Obama mentioned “communism” in a line about the defeat of ideologies considered anathema to Americans. After the translator said “communism” in Chinese, the audio faded out even as Mr. Obama’s lips continued to move.

CCTV then showed an anchor asking an analyst about the economic challenges that President Obama faces. The analyst was clearly caught off guard by the sudden question.

The offending line in the president’s speech was this: “Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.”

Later, the president went on to say: “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”

Chinese translations of the address published Wednesday by state-run news organizations here and on prominent Web portals omitted that line and the word “communism” in the earlier line. The government, however, allowed the full English text of the address to be published.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/world/asia/22china.html?_r=1&ref=us

[supernova]

1. Banned on Bejing!

:bounce:

[Deja Q]

2. CCTV = CCTV

Closed Circuit TeleVision

Still, at least it's proof that people who think China is no longer communist might just be wrong in their assertion.

[malaise]

3. Bushco also censored the Iraq occupation

and American soldiers coffins.

I hope President Obama sorts that out quickly.

[treestar]

4. I'd hate to be Chinese

And be lied to by the government like that. Or, not trusted with that information. It shows the know they are in the wrong.

The weird thing is they don't want their people to know Obama is against communism - I guess they want the Chinese people to think Obama is not against it.