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Chinese Get No Independent News on Tibet

Official story of foreign-incited riots is playing well at home

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 2, 2008 1:46 PM CDT

(Newser) – China's media outlets have been getting their information about the recent unrest in Tibet solely from the state-controlled news agency, Xinhua. As a result, most Chinese citizens are buying the government's handling of what has been portrayed as mob violence plotted from abroad—when it's been covered at all, the Christian Science Monitor reports.

Newspapers and TV outlets didn't pass along a recent appeal from the Dalai Lama to the Chinese people for understanding. Internet users searching for Tibet information find themselves blocked by what's been dubbed the "Great Firewall of China." News editors, seeing that the only flow of information on the issue is coming from Xinhua, take it as a cue to stay silent. "If they cannot write about it properly, they think it is better not to write," one editor said.

A Chinese man walks past a police notice board which reads Who took part in March 14 riots, surrender yourself and ask people provide information about the rioters on display in Lhasa.
A Chinese man walks past a police notice board which reads "Who took part in March 14 riots, surrender yourself and ask people provide information about the rioters" on display in Lhasa.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Nepalese police officers detain Tibetan exiles demonstrating against the Chinese authorities in front of the Chinese Embassy in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
Nepalese police officers detain Tibetan exiles demonstrating against the Chinese authorities in front of the Chinese Embassy in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Binod Joshi)
Nepalese police officers detain Tibetan exile protesters demonstrating against Chinese authorities, in front of the Chinese Embassy in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
Nepalese police officers detain Tibetan exile protesters demonstrating against Chinese authorities, in front of the Chinese Embassy in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Binod Joshi)
Nepalese Police officers detain a Tibetan exile monk demonstrating against the  Chinese authorities in front of the Chinese Embassy in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
Nepalese Police officers detain a Tibetan exile monk demonstrating against the Chinese authorities in front of the Chinese Embassy in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Binod Joshi)
Nepalese Police officers detain a Tibetan exile protester demonstrating against  Chinese authorities in front of the Chinese Embassy in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
Nepalese Police officers detain a Tibetan exile protester demonstrating against Chinese authorities in front of the Chinese Embassy in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Binod Joshi)
Indonesian protesters hold picture of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama during a demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy Monday, March 31, 2008 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Indonesian protesters hold picture of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama during a demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy Monday, March 31, 2008 in Jakarta, Indonesia.   (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)
Rioters throw stones to vehicles and stores during the unrest in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on March 14, 2008.
Rioters throw stones to vehicles and stores during the unrest in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on March 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Xinhua, Gesang Dawa)
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, the first group of foreign journalists allowed into Tibet since anti-government riots broke out are about to get on a minibus at Lhasa Airport.
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, the first group of foreign journalists allowed into Tibet since anti-government riots broke out are about to get on a minibus at Lhasa Airport.   (AP Photo/Xinhua, Chogo)
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, workers repair a branch office of the Construction Bank of China which was destroyed in the Lhasa protests.
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, workers repair a branch office of the Construction Bank of China which was destroyed in the Lhasa protests.   (AP Photo/Xinhua, Purbu Zhaxi)
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