CNN Says Sorry to China over ‘Goons’ Remark: FM
From AFP:
CNN’s president has apologized for remarks made by a commentator at the U.S. news network who called China a “bunch of goons and thugs,” state press said Thursday.
The move came after Beijing complained over comments by Jack Cafferty, who blasted China for exporting unsafe products, which he called “junk with lead paint” on it.
“On behalf of CNN, I’d like to apologize to the Chinese people for that,” Jim Walton, head of CNN, wrote to China’s ambassador to the U.S., Xinhua news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang as saying.
Origin: , AFP
POSTED COMMENTS: 2 Responses
This sickens me. CNN has chosen the appeasement of China over freedom of speech.
What Jack Cafferty said was stupid and insensitive, but he had every right to say it.
The fact that China’s government felt it necessary to respond to Mr. Cafferty (a more ignorant and pompous buffoon would be difficult to find) is proof of the its insecurity. A more confident Chinese government would have replied to questions about Mr. Cafferty’s comments by saying, “Men of consequence do not concern themselves with the ravings of little men” (Daren bu ji xiaoren guo) or “Ivory does not grow from the mouths of dogs” (Gouzui li zhang bu chu xiangya lai). Instead, the CCP lowered itself to Mr. Cafferty’s level - or rather, raised Mr. Cafferty to its level. Such anger over the ignorant ravings of a buffoon makes China look weak and thin-skinned. On the other hand, Mr. Cafferty must be thanking his lucky stars for all the attention. Just imagine - a nobody like Jack Cafferty provoked a response from the government of the largest country in the world. Ridiculous.