Link: https://rsf.org/en/chinese-propaganda-seeks-allies-slovak-media-landscape-disinformation-outlets-already-board

Chinese state narratives are increasingly appearing in parts of the Slovak media landscape. Several Slovak disinformation outlets have featured texts by Chinese diplomats, commentary from the Chinese embassy and echoed Beijing’s narratives, highlighting how easily the country’s disinformation sites can become platforms for foreign propaganda.

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Beijing is trying to shape the narrative surrounding China in a way that aligns with the interests of the Communist Party of China. “China uses a variety of tools to achieve this, ranging from publishing statements by Chinese diplomats, establishing international media partnerships for content sharing, collaborating with influencers, to inviting journalists on paid trips to China with the aim of presenting an exclusively positive image of the country,” explains Matej Šimalčík, an expert on China and Executive Director of the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS). Last year, 12 members of parliament and Eduard Chmelár — a former advisor to Prime Minister Robert Fico and member of the Ethics Committee of the public broadcaster STVR — visited China. All expenses were covered by China.

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The Chinese news agency CCTV+ is part of China’s state-run television network CCTV. In January of this year, it made a cooperation offer to Slovak media outlets, allowing them to use its videos free of charge. The agency also offers commercial opportunities that allow media outlets to generate revenue. “You can generate revenue by distributing the news content we recommend,” the agency promises.

“If you’re interested in working with us, your media outlet would be the first in Slovakia to partner with CCTV+,” said Lindzy Zhang of CCTV+. “We organise media events from time to time and would be happy to invite you to China,” she added.

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Media outlets typically pay news agencies for their information services. If, in contrast, CCTV+ were to pay media outlets, that would be a highly unusual model, the China expert explains. “It could be particularly appealing to disinformation outlets, which China could finance in this way,” Šimalčík warns.

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