Chinese censor PM
This just in from NZPA:
Prime Minister Helen Clark became a victim of China’s censorship regime when she did an interview on international broadcaster CNN today.
Miss Clark was doing an interview summarising her talks with China’s political leaders when the CNN interviewer asked her about human rights in the region.
Despite Miss Clark consistently treading a careful diplomatic line on the issue, the CNN broadcast to Beijing went blank for about 15 seconds as she replied to the question.
Miss Clark’s voice returned to the air as she said if New Zealand only traded with countries with similar values and political systems it would be left dealing with a small group of nations.
So, after trying to trash freedom of speech in New Zealand, the Chinese Government is now trying to prevent our Prime Minister from speaking her mind on CNN. Rod will be on late news on TV One tonight talking about this issue. It really is astonishing the extent to which the Chinese Government will go to suppress criticism. How Helen Clark will deal with this sleight will be interesting. She has been very careful to be diplomatic in public about the Chinese Government’s human rights outrages, and this is the thanks she gets…
June 1st, 2005 at 11:52 am
Actually, I think this one has backfired on the Chinese authorities. Because of the nano second blip, her non-response is being heavily broadcast across the world, giving it more attention than, perhaps, if Helen’s words had been published. Now to move on and save the whales. Joy.
June 1st, 2005 at 1:55 pm
So, what exactly was Helen asked, and what was her response?