Propaganda 2.0: Chinese Communist Party’s Message Gets Tech Upgrade
Reuters in the New York Times, March 5th, 2019
In a bright red office in south Beijing, some of China’s most studious Communist Party members are gathered around their smartphones. The focus of their attention is a range of mobile apps and websites which allow them to study the speeches of Chinese President Xi Jinping, including one developed by their own employer, Beijing-based conglomerate Tidal Star Group.
Live From America’s Capital, a TV Station Run by China’s Communist Party
Paul Mozur, New York Times, February 28th, 2019
CGTN America, which based in Washington and available in 30 million United States households, insists it does not do Beijing’s bidding. Some people are skeptical.
Russian General Pitches ‘Information’ Operations as a Form of War
Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, March 2nd, 2019
The chief of Russia’s armed forces endorsed on Saturday the kind of tactics used by his country to intervene abroad, repeating a philosophy of so-called hybrid war that has earned him notoriety in the West, especially among American officials who have accused Russia of election meddling in 2016.
EU Countries Should Be Free to Tackle Online Hate Speech: EU Court Adviser
Reuters in the New York Times, February 28th, 2019
EU countries should be able to curb the spread of hate speech online without fear of breaching the bloc’s broadcasting rules, an EU court adviser said on Thursday, in a vote of support for Lithuania’s fight against inflammatory content.
Senate Panel Wants Chinese-Funded Institutes to Change or Leave U.S.
Reuters in the New York Times, February 27th, 2019
China has provided over $158 million to U.S. schools for Confucius Institutes to promote Chinese culture, U.S. Senate investigators said on Wednesday, releasing a report saying the centers have acted as tightly controlled propaganda arms for Beijing and should be changed – or shut down.
Hungary’s Leader Calls EU Parliament Critics ‘Useful Idiots’
Associated Press in the New York Times, March 3rd, 2019
Hungary’s populist prime minister described members of a European Union political group who want his party expelled as “useful idiots,” saying in an interview published Sunday they are playing into the hands of left-wing opponents.
What to Know About Estonia’s General Election
Associated Press in the New York Times, March 3rd, 2019
Nearly a million people are eligible to vote Sunday to choose Estonia’s 101-seat Riigikogu legislature, where the outgoing prime minister and his Center Party is pitted against the center-right opposition Reform Party.
Russia Presses Case for Greater Control Over Its Internet
Associated Press in the New York Times, February 27th, 2019
The Kremlin spokesman said on Wednesday that reports that the U.S. military carried out a cyberattack in Russia ahead of the U.S. midterm elections proves that the country needs to create its own, self-controlled segment of the internet.
Social Media Fake News Fans Tension Between India and Pakistan
Reuters in the New York Times, February 28th, 2019
With India and Pakistan standing on the brink of war this week, several false videos, pictures and messages circulated widely on social media, sparking anger and heightening tension in both countries.