ABC is inciting religious discrimination!
By Yan Xia
During the interview with ABC journalist Hagar, she continuously asked about my personal beliefs. She believes the religions of those who operate a media determines this media’s position and affects editorial independence.
I asked Hagar, “Do you know Trump’s religion?” She
shook her head. That’s strange, I thought to myself. ABC is investigating Trump
supporter’s religion but don’t know Trump’s religion? Further, Trump has a lot
of church supporters.
“Trump is a Christian,” I said. “He is calling for
the whole world to fight against the Chinese Communist Party’s ‘tyranny’.”
Would his actions lead the ABC to believe that Christians around the world are
united together to fight the CCP?” Hagar did not answer.
I asked another question, “In Australia, a Catholic
Church cardinal was charged with child sexual abuse. When ABC reported this,
would you report it as an individual criminal case or would you maintain that
the church the cardinal belonged to is a criminal organization?” Hagar
continued to be silent.
If the ABC does not usually connect a person’s
actions with their religion, then why would they treat FLG practitioners’ case
any differently? Is the ABC trying to bully those who are weak?
During our conversation, I told Hagar that I believe
religion is a type of culture. Australia is a country that has successfully
embraced multiculturalism and diversity and respects everyone’s beliefs. I have
attended church in Australia and read the Bible many times. I have also visited
temples around the country and read numerous Buddhist scriptures. I have also
come across FLG practitioners on the street and read the FLG lectures. Every
religion is valuable and exists for a reason. Whatever we choose to belief in
is a basic individual right. Society should not interfere with this.
I asked Hagar whether, as a government funded
broadcaster, ABC’s story targeting FLG represented the views of the Australian
government. She said, “No.”
However, anyone can see that the entire program was
filled with host Eric Campbell’s ridicule towards FLG. Not only was there no
respect for this religion or its followers but after watching the program, many
viewers have publically expressed their contempt towards FLG practitioners.
There have also been reports of FLG practitioners being harassed for no reason
while demonstrating outside the ABC headquarters in Ultimo, Sydney.
The published ABC report has already breached the
privacy of individuals and their family members, causing their family members
in China to face dire consequences.
I am not sure if this was what Eric Campbell and
Hagar Cohen had intended?
I told Hagar that I was deeply disappointed and
worried about the impact of the program within the Chinese community.
Since Australia abolished the “White Australia
Policy”, equality, anti-discrimination and religion freedom are upheld by the
law. New migrants have made the choice to come to Australia on the back of this
country’s multiculturalism and diversity. Why is a national broadcaster
producing a program that is provoking social disharmony despite fervent
protests from the FLG group? Is the ABC trying to tell people that
“multiculturalism and harmony” is dispensable in the face of “ideology”
clashes? Does the ABC believe those who target Trump is doing the right thing
and those who support him should be severely reprimanded?
I'm working hard to cooperate with ABC reporters in
investigating whether Vision Times Media Australia’s newspaper Vision China
Times is an independent media.
I have also made it clear in my conversations with
Hagar that for the past 6 years I have been at Vision Times Media Australia,
founders and directors have never involved in the paper's final published
editorial works. The personal background of the directors has nothing to do
with the position of the media company.
I have also warned Hagar not to release any personal
details of the staff at our media company because this will bring dangers to
those who have family members in China.
ABC's report has obviously contravened basic moral
standards and Australia's values.
However, as the chief editor of Vision Times Media
Australia, I would like to question the ABC management team: there have already
been incidents of discrimination towards FLG following the broadcasting of this
program. Does it comply with ABC’s Editorial Policies or Code of Practice? Can
government funds be used to produce a program that incites religious
discrimination?
I also pose the same question to the Minister for
Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs and the Australian government. Why would a government that embraces multiculturalism allow the ABC
to disrespect the freedom of religion and target a law-abiding religious group
for political reasons? I hope for a reasonable explanation from the Australian
government.
4-8-2020
留言
張貼留言