According to a recent US report, under the China-Pakistan media corridor (CPMC), China is trying to gain significant control over Pakistan media to combat any kind of disinformation and rumors.
What is the China Pakistan Media Corridor CPMC?
China has sought to deepen cooperation in combating false information with Pakistan under the China-Pakistan media forum. Beijing and Islamabad will use the media forum to address any kind of propaganda or false information that has been launched.
Both countries have decided to launch initiatives like Rapid response information network and will cooperate on the Pakistan media corridor CPMC
For this to work and to monitor and shape Pakistan’s information environment, they would be establishing a jointly operated “nerve center”
By streaming inputs from think tanks, opinion leaders, CPEC study centers, media organizations, PRC companies and even local institutes.
This Mechanism will be used to convert important reports into Urdu to sway popular opinion and monitor and respond to public Criticism. This is done to dispel rumors and promote approved news to the local market.
Image Source – One India
Why China Seek to Control Information Space?
According to the Sources, China is working closely with Russia in the information space and it also attempts to work with other close partners to counter unfavorable narratives. China wants to control the information environment of its allies. Prominent among them is Pakistan.
China developed a web of international operations to have a say over media narratives. So that any misinformation, rumors, Negative news, or propaganda does not flow in the information sectors against China, it aims to control the closer partners’ domestic information Environment
According to the reports China spends millions of dollars annually just to control foreign information, it tries to manipulate news that is negative to it. Beijing put efforts to counter biased information and promote positive views on China and the Chinese communist party
Image Source- VOA
China suppresses critical information that contradicts its desired narrative on issues such as Taiwan, Tibet, human rights practices, the South China Sea, domestic economy, and international economic engagement.
China seeks to cultivate and uphold a global information structure that encourages a positive view of China and tries to ensure that foreign governments, elites, journalists, and civil society accept its preferred narratives and avoid criticizing its conduct.
China wants to portray itself as good nation and keep itself in a positive light because it aims to establish its cultural hegemony and also wants to become a superpower therefore wants to control negative narratives against it.
Image Source- NDTV
China tries to influence other foreign governments, and civil society to believe that China is a peaceful, non-confrontationist nation, A country with good foreign, economic relations and which upholds human rights and international laws.
