Phil Cunningham Profile picture
金培力 CCTV FOLLIES at https://t.co/Ytx660bYM5 Fulbright, Knight, Nieman Fellow. @jinpeili.bsky.social @jinpeili@ieji.de

Jan 11, 2023, 30 tweets

CCTV FOLLIES 1.11 Backwards Day
-CCTV News always opens with Xi and I'm getting a little tired of that, so here's the news in reverse:
-Bad things happen to bad countries (TM)
-Russia defends itself
-New CCTV doc
-CCTV deflects on Covid
-The glorious CCP
-Xi, Xi, Xi, Xi, Xi

The closing story focuses on nemesis number two:

Retributive karma visits the United Kingdom with massive strikes because it fails to protect worker's rights like China does.
(this story includes original CCTV photography)

Nemesis number one gets drenched:
Heavy rains have caused heavy flooding in the US

No detail is too small when CCTV wants to show it cares--someone lost a plastic container, in addition to submerged cars, flooded roads, etc.

"Our fence got washed away...and then everything..."

Floods and landslides torment the US West Coast.

CCTV makes extensive use of US footage.

Anything more complex than a polite Canadian protest (see yesterday's news) or a UK nurses strike would be an insurmountable challenge to TV crews accustomed to dressing the set, setting up shots and taking instructions from the party.

Working closely with the Russian Navy, and the footage they provide, CCTV gives us a glimpse of the advanced new ship defending the Russian motherland.

CCTV repeats the mantra that Ukraine is a really a fight between Russia and NATO.

Russia can and will forever defend itself against NATO aggression. General Shoigu rallies the military brass with video gadgetry and solemn meetings reminiscent of a China party congress.

"The US is stoking fires and fanning the flames."
US supports Ukraine with money and munitions.
It's file footage, of course, but I'm wondering why the editor chose the parking lot shot.
It looks like the men might be conspiring...

It's Russia Defense Ministry show and tell time...
The usual aerial prowess shots.

Russia fires away.
In the last picture in the sequence, CCTV, in the interests of balance, shows Ukraine fighting back

An exciting new documentary is dropping on CCTV tonight!

It's CCTV tooting its own horn again.

"The Song of the Long March" looks like essential viewing. Don't miss it!

Tune in and learn more about "Old Eagle Rock"

Another job fair, this time for military youth.
Have you ever thought about a career in snooping, spying and surveillance?
It's said to be a growth industry.

CCTV celebrates itself, giving itself awards.

The big question is, will Yao Ming attend?

If he does, they've got seats big enough for him to sink comfortably into.

CCTV controls the narrative on the Covid disaster, alternating between State Council pressers, tangential stories and blatant coverups. It's a "limited hangout" in the sense that hospital scenes are shown, but only the most serene ones.
Ditto for medicine, always well stocked

"Zhongguancun" is our experimental field."
"Beijing is the capital of China"
"The party has bestowed Beijing with glorious responsibilities..."
"It's not good enough to be best, we must be better"

(CCP's magnanimous show of support for high-tech rings false--just ask Jack Ma)

"New Actuation High-Tech Center"
"Beijing Academy of Blockchain and Edge Computing"

(A lab scene not unlike the one shown below was used to "prove" the US had bio-labs all over Ukraine.)

Xi's CCDI speech is viewed and reviewed in all corners of the country

Pity the poor functionaries who not only have to sit through this stuff, but be filmed doing it.

"As Chairman Xi said...."
"We must combat the 'four winds' to combat corruption, especially the liberal wind"

More meetings convened to view scenes of another meeting being convened.

Finally, some shots of the source, the emanater of ideas, the secret sauce of China's success.

"As Chairman Xi pointed out in his important remarks..."
"We must thoroughly study the spirit of the 20th, and the spirit of the 20th CCDI meeting, too."

"The red line that can never be crossed is the guidance and discipline of the party."

Finally, since we're reviewing the news backwards, the top stories of the day:

"Good evening! And now for today's top stories....Chairman Xi..."
Xi
Xi
Xi
Xi

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