The South China Morning Post, "arguably the world’s most important newspaper" (because it signals the squeeze of Chinese power), is overseen by Nets/ArenaCo owner Tsai.
We know Joe Tsai, owner of the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, and Barclays Center, as a businessman, co-founder of the Internet behemoth Alibaba, COVID-19 philanthropist, Black Lives Matter supporter, encourager of peaceful protests at the arena.
But, remember, the Taiwanese-Canadian is also a big defender of China, where his fortune was built.
Last year, when Houston Rockets' GM Daryl Morey expressed support for Hong Kong protesters movement, Tsai responded with a long Facebook post echoing the Chinese government stance.
And, if you read carefully an 8/1/20 article in The Atlantic, A Newsroom at the Edge of Autocracy, Tsai plays a key role overseeing "arguably the world’s most important newspaper."
No, the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong's dominant English-language newspaper, is not the New York Times or The Guardian or the Sydney Morning Herald. But, argues Timothy McLaughlin, it's important "for what it tells us about media freedoms as China’s power grows."
Notably, the paper's coverage of protests, heavily edited to emphasize “radical protesters” rather than spirited citizens, seems part of a general trend to reflect China's line. The paper since 2015 has been owned by Alibaba, which invested in staff and quality,
But the article which cites nine current/former employees as saying lines between reporting and opinion have bent towards China. And there seems to be a directive from the top:
And it made me wonder: it's unlikely that this newspaper is a priority for the mindshare of a corporate superstar who owns three sports teams, including the San Diego Seals of the National Lacross League.
It would be understandable that, as with Tsai's post-Morey Facebook message, he is not going to rock the boat regarding China.
But, remember, the Taiwanese-Canadian is also a big defender of China, where his fortune was built.
Last year, when Houston Rockets' GM Daryl Morey expressed support for Hong Kong protesters movement, Tsai responded with a long Facebook post echoing the Chinese government stance.
And, if you read carefully an 8/1/20 article in The Atlantic, A Newsroom at the Edge of Autocracy, Tsai plays a key role overseeing "arguably the world’s most important newspaper."
No, the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong's dominant English-language newspaper, is not the New York Times or The Guardian or the Sydney Morning Herald. But, argues Timothy McLaughlin, it's important "for what it tells us about media freedoms as China’s power grows."
Notably, the paper's coverage of protests, heavily edited to emphasize “radical protesters” rather than spirited citizens, seems part of a general trend to reflect China's line. The paper since 2015 has been owned by Alibaba, which invested in staff and quality,
But the article which cites nine current/former employees as saying lines between reporting and opinion have bent towards China. And there seems to be a directive from the top:
(The owners have spoken about how they think coverage should be driven: “A lot of journalists working with these Western media organisations may not agree with the system of governance in China, and that taints their view of coverage,” Joe Tsai, chairman of the SCMP’s board of directors and Alibaba’s executive vice chairman, said shortly after the sale was completed. “We see things differently, we believe things should be presented as they are.”)The entire article is well worth reading.
And it made me wonder: it's unlikely that this newspaper is a priority for the mindshare of a corporate superstar who owns three sports teams, including the San Diego Seals of the National Lacross League.
It would be understandable that, as with Tsai's post-Morey Facebook message, he is not going to rock the boat regarding China.
Comments
Post a Comment