Opinion | How Chinese in Australia respond to talk of war in mainstream media
- A recent poll found that more than half of Chinese-Australians in Australia would be ‘extremely concerned’ for their well being if there was a war with China
- Same study found most respondents did not identify with Chinese state media propaganda, and didn’t think Australian media were balanced in reporting on China
After complaints and an open letter condemning the paper for racially profiling the Chinese communities and throwing around baseless accusations, the story disappeared from the Mail’s site without explanation.
The Daily Mail, like many other media outlets, possibly believed it could make insinuations of spying with impunity, since many of its intended readers would likely be sufficiently primed to accept such narratives as common sense.
In fact, a 2022 poll revealed: “Just over four in 10 Australians (42 per cent) say ‘Australians of Chinese origin can be mobilised by the Chinese government to undermine Australia’s interests and social cohesion’.”
Commenting on the Mail’s “spy” story, La Trobe University’s Nick Bisley tweeted, “Yep, this is what happens when the red menace crap is thrown around carelessly”, apparently connecting it with the Red Alert series. Several foreign affairs specialists have called the series “pretentious”, “hyperbolic”, “irresponsible” and “implicitly racist” reporting.