Chinese culture show on public radio

WHERE ARE YOUR TAXES Screenshot of “Wow China” from Radyo Pilipinas Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines – A two-year program promoting China’s culture on the government-run radio station is sparking outrage for allegedly driving Chinese propaganda at a time when the two countries are in dispute over the West Philippine Sea. .

Bayan Muna’s representative, Ferdinand Gaite, denounced the broadcast of the radio program “Wow China” while Beijing continued to “disrespect” the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Manila.

“On the one hand, the government radio station is busy promoting ‘better relations and friendship’ with China. On the other hand, the Chinese government is busy establishing its foothold on our islands in the West Philippine Sea,” said Gaite. .

“We are launching Chinese propaganda on our radio, and they are launching Filipino fishermen from our waters and aiming weapons at our Navy.”

Radyo Pilipinas

The program airs on weekends on Radyo Pilipinas, part of the Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS) under the supervision of the Office of Presidential Communications Operations (PCOO).

Gaite found nothing wrong with appreciating the rich cultures of our Asian neighbors, but said the program on government radio was unpleasant for many Filipinos.

Many Filipinos do not feel the government’s enthusiasm for protecting the country’s interests in the same way that it promoted China, he said. “It’s almost treacherous, if it still isn’t.”

PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar declined to comment and referred the queries to PBS CEO Rizal Giovanni Aportadera.

The hour-long radio show on Saturday and Sunday has been broadcast since 2018 and is independently produced by China Radio International, Aportadera said in a statement.

He said he respected criticism. “Its format is light, informative and entertaining; in no way defends or promotes a particular point of view or political cause, “he said.

Spiel program

“Let’s meet our Chinese brothers to improve relationships and friendship,” is part of the program’s opening speech in the Philippines.

It offers Mandarin lessons from the Confucius Institute at the University of the Philippines.

The program’s logo is predominantly red with the stars of the Chinese flag prominently displayed.

Last Sunday’s episode touched on Mother’s Day and community quarantine to curb the spread of respiratory illness.

The program on the Radyo Pilipinas Facebook page has received 19,000 angry reactions, 373 likes and more than 833,000 visits until Tuesday afternoon.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the program was “part of the free market for ideas,” but his office had nothing to do with it.

“Let our compatriots form their own opinion regarding that announcement or program,” he said.

In his statement, Aportadera said PBS “recognizes constitutional freedoms and respects the views and feelings of the public and netizens, and their right to share them on their social media channels.”

Standing together

But he called on the public “not to create confusion, cultivate fear and anger, or spread divisions at a time when the country needs us to unite.”

Contrary to criticism that he engages in pro-China propaganda, he said, PBS was “at the forefront of disseminating relevant news and information to and from our citizens throughout the archipelago, particularly during this time of crisis.”

Aportadera said “Wow China” was the result of multiple bilateral media and communication agreements between China and the Philippines aimed at improving PBS’s cultural relations, information sharing, and technical capacity in broadcast and publication.

Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned the use of taxpayers’ money for the program, saying it “promotes China’s policies.”

“For me, this is a betrayal of the Filipino people. Our state media must always prioritize the interests and well-being of Filipinos, “Hontiveros said in a statement.

She said PCOO should assist the Filipino people with “relevant and timely information, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Instead, it is allowing a program that promotes China and its state ideology,” said Hontiveros.

Taxpayer protest

Other critics criticized the program on social media.

“As a taxpayer, I strongly protest that our taxes are being paid for this garbage,” Angelo Medina said on Facebook.

“Wow! They didn’t even try to hide it. China’s communist propaganda is literally there,” @JanOralced said on Twitter.

Another Twitter user @brunnoskin said he did not understand the need for a Chinese segment on national radio.

“It is either the government is marketing China to us or they have already sold us to China,” he said. The uproar over the radio show followed the ABS CBN government shutdown and the music video produced by the Chinese embassy, ​​”Iisang Dagat” (One Sea), which also sparked outrage among many Filipinos who were angry at what they saw as a China’s subtle attempt to assert its claims on the Western Philippine Sea.

That video was meant to be a tribute to healthcare workers and other leaders in the fight against COVID-19, which originated in China.

– WITH REPORTS FROM MARLON RAMOS AND MELVIN GASCON

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