Chinese Authorities Snuff out Last Online Remnants of the New York Times

Chinese internet censors have eliminated the New York Times from the Sina Weibo site, essentially removing any trace of the major newspaper-of-record for the United States. “The New York Times’ Sina Weibo account didn’t tackle subjects with the same sensitivity as those in the publication, which is probably why it outlasted the other social media accounts of the Chinese edition of the newspaper,” reports David Dawson for the Diplomat. The newspaper has been a target “since October of 2012, when the newspaper reported on the vast wealth of the family of Wen Jiabao, then China’s prime minister.” The censorship practices prompted Bloomberg to kill an article on wealth and political corruption in China in November 2012. A New York Times editorial vowed not to alter coverage for governments in China, the US or any other nation, adding “Nor would any credible news organization.” The Times has investigated plenty of cases of US malfeasance, and such journalism strengthens societies. The United States is a top trade partner for China, and Chinese investors, entrepreneurs, researchers and educators with interactions with US partners are put at great disadvantage. – YaleGlobal