VOA suspends reporters over live stream of Chinese tycoon's graft accusations

VOA suspends reporters over live stream of Chinese tycoon’s graft accusations

VOA suspends reporters over live stream of Chinese tycoon’s graft accusations: US government-backed Voice of America (VOA) has suspended its Mandarin-language service chief and four other staff involved in interviewing Guo Wengui, a US-based Chinese businessman wanted by the Chinese government, it said on Wednesday.

China’s foreign ministry said on April 20 that Interpol had issued a “red notice” for the controversial property tycoon, who has made repeated claims of high-level corruption within the ruling Communist Party.

China’s confirmation of the “red notice”, an international alert for someone wanted for extradition, came on the day VOA interviewed Guo in an hour-long live-stream in which he elaborated on his accusations of graft in the top echelons of the party.

The interview ended abruptly, leading some to speculate it had been cut short.

Dong Fang, a reporter for VOA’s Mandarin-language service who was involved in the interview, said on Twitter on May 1 that he would be suspended for an undisclosed period from Tuesday while the news agency investigated.

Dong, who is based in Washington, according to the VOA website, called the investigation “unexpected” and said he would have to hand over his electronic equipment, his key to the office, and he would not be allowed to use his VOA email, though he would still be paid.

“VOA Mandarin Service Chief Sasha Gong and four other Mandarin service employees have been placed on administrative leave pending a full investigation,” a VOA spokeswoman said in an email on Wednesday.

Gong, who is also US-based, could not be reached for comment. The three other VOA Mandarin service employees who Dong identified as on administrative leave also appeared to be US-based.

VOA did not identify the other three employees and Reuters was unable to independently verify the accuracy of Dong’s list.

China has not said what crimes Guo is suspected of committing. Guo has denied wrongdoing and said he would not be deterred in his fight against corruption.

VOA did not give details of its investigation but said that “decisions regarding the interview with Guo Wengui were made by a group of senior VOA leaders led by director Amanda Bennett”.

VOA also said that there was never any discussion of not doing the interview with Guo, or of cutting it short.

“The decisions were based on the journalistic principles of verification, balance and fairness that are standard industry practice and apply universally to all VOA services,” VOA said.

“There are no special exemptions for individual services to follow different practices.”

VOA also said it had not been pressed in any way, by either the Chinese or US governments.

About HumSub TV
Introduction
HumSub TV is Pakistan’s leading forwarding-thinking, edutainment channel, aimed at promoting and upholding peace, interfaith harmony and social responsibility within Pakistan through informative and insightful programmes and documentaries; analytical interviews on issues pertaining to social, economic, legal and environmental set-up; dedicated shows to canvass and thereby promote the culture and heritage of Pakistan and in-depth coverage of national and international news.

HumSub TV is the first channel and thus a pioneer within its own right that mainly focuses on emphasising the “Rights” as well as the “Obligations” of the citizens in light of the Constitution of Pakistan, numerous International declarations signed by the Government and various laws that have been promulgated over the years but are not in the knowledge of the common citizen.
HumSub TV also aims to enter into bilateral agreements with other countries to promote not only their culture, heritage and tourism, but also their educational and medical facilities.
Following the successful launch of HumSub TV’s head office in Blue Area, Islamabad; the bureau office has been set up in Lahore.

Vision
To project positive image building of Pakistan and inculcate nationalism, as per the vision of the founder of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Mission
HumSub TV is resolute about the promotion of a pluralistic, inclusive and egalitarian society in Pakistan where all citizens are allowed to contribute to promote interfaith harmony, peace and collective wisdom in the social, political and economic development of Pakistan and to encourage critical and lateral thinking in the society. HumSub TV strives to make a positive contribution to this end.

HumSub TV’s Theme
HumSub TV, Pakistan’s first EDUTAINMENT Channel, has been set up for not only those audience residing in Pakistan or overseas but the international community on the whole. The vision of the channel is to project positive image building of Pakistan and inculcate nationalism as per the vision of the founder of the nation.

HumSub TV strives to make a positive contribution to this end by promoting pluralism, inclusiveness and egality in Pakistan and give voice to the suppressed. It endeavors to act as a positive catalyst for social change and Pakistani nationalism. It envisions providing a platform for airing critical and lateral thinking and collective wisdom by inviting positive minded intellectuals and opinion forming individuals for the promotion of interfaith harmony and peace in the social, political and economic development of Pakistan.

Whereas the channel airs upbeat edutainment programmes, it, nonetheless, has the primary objective of countering negative anti-Pakistan regional and international propaganda as well as advancing fundamental rights as encapsulated in the Constitution of Pakistan.

For More News:
Visit HumSub TV

Leave a Reply