China Accused by US of Manipulating Global Media

U.S. Accuses China of Systematic Global Media Manipulation

China is engaged in a multi-billion-dollar campaign to manipulate global media through various tactics including censorship, data harvesting, and covert acquisitions of foreign news outlets, according to a new report released by the U.S. State Department on Thursday.

The report warns that Beijing’s extensive efforts could lead to a “sharp contraction” of global freedom of expression if left unchecked, highlighting the growing concern over China’s influence operations in information spaces worldwide.

According to the State Department’s Global Engagement Center, the Chinese government has invested billions annually in what it describes as information manipulation efforts. These include acquiring stakes in foreign media organizations through both public and undisclosed means, sponsoring online influencers, and securing distribution agreements that promote Chinese government content without proper labeling.

“Unchecked, Beijing’s efforts could result in a sharp contraction of global freedom of expression,” the report states, drawing on what officials described as public reports and “newly acquired government information.”

The analysis comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing, with information warfare becoming an increasingly important front in their geopolitical rivalry. Chinese leadership has long sought to counter what it perceives as negative portrayals in global media, leading to an aggressive push to reshape international narratives about China.

The report details how China has methodically created its own information ecosystem by co-opting foreign political elites and journalists. In developing regions, Beijing has strategically invested in satellite networks and digital television services that prioritize Chinese state-backed content, effectively building distribution channels for its preferred messaging.

One particularly concerning aspect highlighted in the report is China’s overseas data harvesting operations. These efforts reportedly enable “Beijing to fine-tune global censorship by targeting specific individuals and organizations,” suggesting a sophisticated approach to monitoring and controlling information beyond China’s borders.

Despite these extensive efforts, the State Department noted that Beijing has encountered “major setbacks” when targeting democratic countries. These challenges have primarily emerged due to resistance from local media organizations and civil society groups that have pushed back against Chinese influence operations.

The Chinese embassy in Washington quickly denounced the report. Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu characterized it as an attempt to heighten ideological confrontation and “smear China’s domestic and foreign policies.”

“Written with a Cold-War mentality, the report is just another tool to keep China down and buttress American hegemony. China is strongly against such moves,” Liu stated.

The controversy over China’s media influence has intensified in recent years as Beijing has expanded the global footprint of its government-controlled outlets. State-run entities like China Global Television Network (CGTN), Xinhua News Agency, and China Daily have established significant international operations, often without clearly identifying their connections to the Chinese government.

Media analysts point out that China’s approach differs from traditional public diplomacy, as it frequently obscures the original source of information and attempts to make state-controlled content appear as independent journalism.

The State Department’s report, produced under a congressional mandate to document state information manipulation, represents one of the most comprehensive U.S. government assessments of China’s media influence operations to date. It comes as democracies worldwide grapple with how to counter foreign information operations while preserving open media environments and freedom of expression.

The findings are likely to intensify scrutiny of Chinese media investments and partnerships globally, potentially leading to new regulatory approaches in Western democracies concerned about protecting their information ecosystems from foreign influence.