reader Posted April 3, 2020 Posted April 3, 2020 From Khaosod English Chinese Virus Conspiracy Theories Picked Up By Thai Media BANGKOK — A series of conspiracy theories promoted by the Chinese state media, which accused the United States of engineering the coronavirus as a bioweapon, is finding a large audience in Thailand thanks to uncritical coverage by some news agencies. From the accusations that US military hid vases of the virus in Wuhan to speculation that the US unleashed the coronavirus in Italy to stop them from using Huawei 5G network and an article written by a Holocaust denier – all of these outlandish claims were carried by some of Thailand’s most popular TV and news sites, a survey by Khaosod English found on Thursday. They were often lifted or translated directly from Chinese state media agencies, or suggested by news sites who challenge the audience to “connect the dots” and build dubious links between different events. A political scientist said the trend may reflect an increasingly pro-China stance among some Thai media, while a media watchdog said simple critical thinking would have easily debunked those hoaxes. “The US, China, and even Thailand are all affected so badly. If some country was going to use their virus as a weapon, then why was there no precaution put in place for their own people?” Thai Journalist Association chairman Mongkol Bangprapha said. “By common sense, it’s obvious that neither of the countries did it.” Yet reports on Nation TV, Banmuang, and some other media agencies imply it was the United States who manufactured and released the virus in a bid to contain China’s rise as a new geopolitical superpower – a narrative that’s rapidly gaining traction in Thailand. One example could be found In the March 16 episode of “Investigative Hour” program by Nation TV, titled “Covid-19: Biological Warfare or Conspiracy Theory?”, in which the show’s host discussed the narrative with a complete seriousness. The segment features an interview with Tanong Kuntong, Director of Communications from Bualuang Securities, who said the coronavirus – just like SARS, avian flu, and swine flu – was the latest form of biological warfare brought over by the West, similar to European explorers bringing Old World diseases to the New World. Continues at https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2020/04/02/chinese-virus-conspiracy-theories-picked-up-by-thai-media/ Quote
TotallyOz Posted April 4, 2020 Posted April 4, 2020 Sad how people don't fact check. Thank goodness Americans are too smart to fall for fake news. floridarob and williewillie 1 1 Quote
vinapu Posted April 4, 2020 Posted April 4, 2020 9 hours ago, Michael said: . Thank goodness Americans are too smart to fall for fake news. you better get tested TotallyOz 1 Quote
Vessey Posted April 4, 2020 Posted April 4, 2020 Presumably some dodgy American bat exporter? LOL TotallyOz 1 Quote
reader Posted April 4, 2020 Author Posted April 4, 2020 40 minutes ago, Vessey said: Presumably some dodgy American bat exporter? LOL Louisville Slugger reports that it hasn't exported any bats to Thailand. TotallyOz, splinter1949, vinapu and 1 other 1 3 Quote
GWMinUS Posted April 7, 2020 Posted April 7, 2020 On 4/3/2020 at 8:21 PM, Michael said: Sad how people don't fact check. Thank goodness Americans are too smart to fall for fake news. If you believe that then I have 1 Million Tablets of Hydroxychloroquine I can sell you. Highly recommend by a President who admits he is not a Doctor... santosh108 and TotallyOz 2 Quote
