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From Our Own Correspondent

Confronting racism on Chinese social media

From Our Own Correspondent

BBC

News Commentary, News

4.41.3K Ratings

🗓️ 7 July 2022

⏱️ 28 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

We track down a Chinese film maker in Malawi who used local children to film personalised greeting videos, some of which included racist content. These videos were sold on Chinese media and internet platforms – with the communities in Malawi none the wiser about the purpose of the content. Runako Celina reflects on how the attitudes she encountered on this investigation were reminiscent of her own experience as a black woman living in Beijing.

Russians have been glued to talk shows presenting an alternative narrative of the invasion of Ukraine: characterising the invasion as a special operation. Frances Scarr speaks to those who believe Putin's actions are legitimate - confronting a perceived aggressor - and necessary.

In Catalonia, support for the independence movement has dwindled in recent years. But it was thrown back in the spotlight during the Pegasus scandal, in which spyware was found to have been used by Spain's authorities to monitor independence supporters. Victor Lloret met someone who was also tracked by Pegasus.

Iraqi Airways was once a badge of pride for many people. But the analogue-era service from Iraq's ageing flag carrier is a symptom of the country's state bloat. According to critics, money is spent on hiring huge numbers of staff in government-owned companies rather than investing in much-needed infrastructure. But the flights themselves are at least reliable, says Lizzie Porter.

Our correspondent joins a kayak trip in Fajardo, in Puerto Rico’s East. The region is famous for its nature reserves and for the coqui frog. The singer Dessa encountered these frogs on a recent visit to the island.

Presenter: Kate Adie Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Gemma Ashman and Iona Hammond Editor: Hugh Levinson

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts

0:05.4

Today we hear about the Russian TV shows that are mouthpieces for Kremlin propaganda and

0:11.6

what the locals make of them.

0:14.0

In Spain, support for Catalan separatism seems to be dwindling, but that hasn't stopped

0:19.7

the authorities from allegedly tracking the movements of its leaders.

0:24.7

We hear about the process of booking an airline ticket in Iraq.

0:29.4

Liberias, though it may be, it perhaps has a more dependable outcome than some airlines

0:34.6

this summer.

0:36.4

And we're in Puerto Rico on a kayaking trip, exploring the glowing waters of Fajado,

0:43.2

amid chirping frogs.

0:45.7

First, a video made by a Chinese filmmaker in Malawi has been the subject of a rare public

0:53.1

rebuke from Beijing.

0:55.6

The man, also a Malawi and resident, used local children to film personalized greeting

1:01.7

videos, some of which included racist content.

1:06.5

These videos were then sold on Chinese media and internet platforms, with the communities

1:12.5

in Malawi none the wiser about the purpose of the content being circulated.

1:18.8

Anaku Selena spotted one of the videos and decided to track down its creator and confront

1:24.9

him.

1:25.9

She reflects on how the attitudes she encountered on this investigation were reminiscent

1:32.0

of her own experience as a black woman living in Beijing.

1:37.5

Inquisitive eyes dart around desperate to lock in on their target.

1:42.2

Everyone hungry to get a look, brushing against each other and jostling for prime viewing

...

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