China Law Blog

I really don't get it. Why the outrage? Simply because he works for CCTV, a mouthpiece of the Chinese government? Because of the "bad and evil China" (to quote nh), anybody who has consciense should not be collaborating with the "evil" Chinese government? I got two questions for the critics: (1) Would it make any difference if Maher had not been a white guy, a westerner? If this person were a mainland Chinese guy, a HKer, or a Japanese, would it trigger outrage of similar audacity?
(2) Where does the self-perceived moral superiority of those critics come from? As long as you are dealing with the Chinese, you are in one way or another collaborating with "bad bad China". Those of you who do business with China are really no better than Maher. Unless you boycott China and everything about it, you are not in any position to criticize Maher.

"Unless you boycott China and everything about it, you are not in any position to criticize Maher."

I check the tags of everything I buy. Maher is a stooge.

I think Zhongnanhai did the best job giving a nuanced coverage of the debate about Maher. The blog supports Maher's decision to work for CCTV9, but reminds us about the following three basic points:

1. CCTV 9 is directly run by China's Central Government, and must broadcast the expressed wishes of the government.
2. Western media outlets may come under pressure from governments not to report something, however are entitled to make the ultimate decision themselves (a right protected by law).
3. Western media outlets are free to criticize their own government, officials, leaders, companies, and other organizations, as long as it does not violate libel laws.

And Pffefer, what has race and moral superiority got to do with all this?

Amban, FYI there have been many other "foreigners" working for CCTV, most of them are overseas Chinese. Where was the outrage?

Again the question is, if you criticize Maher because he works for a mouthpiece of the Chinese government, what are you doing differently? By doing business with China aren't you profiting the Chinese government?

Amban, FYI there have been many other "foreigners" working for CCTV, most of them are overseas Chinese. Where was the outrage?

I have no explanation for that, but race is only one possible explanation and I think we should be wary to play the race card too early.

Amban, if this isn't about race, what is it then? Let's call a spade a spade.

Amban, if this isn't about race, what is it then?

You are making the accusation, so the burden of proof is on you. There are all kinds of possible explanations for this. It may very well be the case that some overseas Chinese are working for CCTV and have not faced the same level of criticism as Maher. But, for instance, did they have the same name-recognition as Maher prior to working for CCTV?

Please, what "name-recognition" are you talking about? He was a seasoned weatherman in Australia, how many people outside NZ and AUS knew about him before the LA article? And do you think, had Maher been a total nobody that nobody knows, people would have been OK with him working for the CCTV?

I don't know the credentials of those foreigners (including overseas Chinese) working for CCTV, they could well be nobodys. But the fact that the issue of foreigners working for CCTV never surfaced before Maher says something, doesn't it?

The bottom line is, unless you stop dealing with China, you are in no position to criticize Maher.