The red creep in media

Our side of the world is no stranger to conspiracy theories, especially about our neighbours. From Indian plans to build nuclear power plants to more heinous assertions about US Aid provisions, China too has made and continues to make the occasional fast news round.

However, given our ally’s less than perfect track record, must this be a cause for concern? As per the International Republican Institute, the China Communist Party’s (CCP) attempts to influence Sri Lanka, published through a country report, reveals some unsettling aspects of China’s attempts to sway local media during 2019-2021.

China has been at the centre of numerous disputes involving the security and sovereignty of Sri Lanka, frequently sparring with India, the island nation’s closest neighbour and biggest trading partner, as well as the US. The island country invariably finds itself in the diplomatic firing line, with nowhere to turn.

The study enumerates the CCP’s propagandising activities and support for preferred narratives in Sri Lanka. It makes a point of praising its strong economic and political relations with Sri Lanka and the Sinopharm vaccinations that have been sent to the island nation since 2020, which supports its claim to be the “global provider” of COVID vaccines.

The COVID-19 pandemic, its roots, and human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet were also discussed, along with criticism of its management of them. It also engaged in coercive diplomacy through false or misleading assertions, with a lot of anger aimed at the US. Additionally, it conducts disinformation tactics, suppresses negative news and combats it through coercion and a robust diplomatic push on social media.

With a substantial growth in debt extended over the past 20 years, China has also given significant loans to Sri Lanka. The construction of infrastructure projects under China’s Belt and Road Initiative took up a sizable percentage of this debt. China also made investments in Colombo International Financial City – previously Port City – which was designated as an economic zone by the contentious Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill, which was passed last year despite receiving a lot of criticism.

Although Sri Lanka is not particularly resistant to Chinese influence in the media, there is some underlying resistance thanks to a strong press freedom and human rights movement. Research conducted in 2019 also revealed that Sri Lankan audiences are highly aware of media biases, and numerous media literacy initiatives have started since the COVID-19 pandemic, some of which try to raise people’s awareness of false information on social media.

Many media consumers regularly consult several sources to confirm news and other information. Additionally, audiences are said to have a better than average understanding of what constitutes quality journalism, recognising traits such evidence-based, balanced, unbiased details drawn from multiple sources as journalistic ideals insist.

Public opinion is split at the moment. There has been little public polling of Sri Lankans’ opinions of China, although there is some evidence that donations associated to COVID-19 have improved popular opinion of China, even while opinions on China’s investment in Sri Lanka are divided.

There are academics from universities who naively hail Chinese loans and investments in Sri Lanka, but there are also civil society organisations that are cautiously suspicious of the country becoming unduly dependent on Chinese investment.

The majority of Sri Lankans, according to experts, trust China and are pleased with its numerous investments in the nation, but there is also growing public opposition to China’s participation in Sri Lanka as well. Given the spotlight China enjoys, only time can tell if this “Red Creep” works.