Chinese Citizens get a Clearer Understanding of Official Chinese Media Reports

I remember two weeks ago, during a phone call to China, I explained to a lady that the SARS epidemic is really serious. I urged her to take care even though the government has already concealed much of the truth. However, she took little notice of the information that I gave her, and only said that she would watch more of the TV news and see what that said.

Later on, I sent many mails about the SARS situations in China and how to take precautions against it. From her reply, I could tell that see she did not know how serious the situation was. One of her good friends, who was working at the National Supervisory Pharmaceuticals Administration had also told her: “[There is] no need to worry about this. The chance of contracting SARS is less than winning the lottery.” So, they still planned to go out as usual, to visit friends, relatives, go shopping, travelling, etc. In my mother’s eyes, one should consistently believe in official reports. She thought that the SARS epidemic is completely under control. It was as if SARS had no connection with her life.

The last time I called her, my mother’s attitude had changed greatly. She said she has been confused by the Chinese official news. “In one night, the news reports on TV are completely different! Today they say it is this way and tomorrow they say that it is that way. There’s no way for people to accept it.” She said that her colleagues are all complaining. She asked me if the SARS reports in China are true and if other countries believe in it? I answered that I honestly did not know. She immediately said now, Chinese citizens will never believe the official media reports, because the government has lost their reputation. Her friend at the National Supervisory Pharmaceuticals Administration has changed her attitude from not fearing SARS to being extremely careful. She expressed that she is angry about the government’s cover up of the situation.

My mother said people’s lives around her have changed greatly. One of her friends, who has opened a private clinic, has lost her job because the government has ordered all private clinics to close down. This situation is something that her friend was not mentally prepared for. Previously people had all believed that SARS rarely existed in China. However, now they feel that SARS is everywhere. This sudden change of news has caused great panic. Many people that my mother knows hardly go out now, except to buy daily necessities. After feeling that the media cannot be believed, everyone is taking precautions to save themselves.

Mother also mentioned that through this incident, people have a clear understanding of what’s going on in Chinese news reports. People realise that past propagandas are actually not to be believed. For example, reports on the war between USA and Iraq have been used to fan up the anti-American feeling. Mother also said “now people won’t be fooled anymore. This time even people who are not sharp are awakening to the truth.”

Translated from Chinese at http://yuanming.net/articles/200304/19675.html