Consumer Rights Protection Day

[Randy W]

.

 

 

from the Global Times

 

Indecent exposé

 

 

Every year, as March 15 approaches, entrepreneurs around China begin to grow anxious. On this day, Consumer Rights Protection Day, CCTV airs a gala event that exposes companies that have cut corners in the pursuit of profit, to audiences in the millions. In an instant, irreversible damage can be inflicted upon high-profile brands.

 

. . .

 

"The gala focused on protecting the rights of the rich, those who can afford the luxury of Apple products and Volkswagen cars," Yu Shenghai, a researcher from the China Center for Economic Research, told the Global Times.

 

. . .

 

A posting appeared on the Sina Weibo of Peter Ho, a famous movie star, expressing disappointment over Apple's service. However, the posting accidentally included an additional sentence - instructions detailing when to post the comment.

"As an Apple fan, I am hurt. Is this what Steve Jobs wanted the company to be? What about those who sell their kidneys to buy Apple's products? Truly, big companies treat customers with no respect. Post at around 8:20 pm," the comment read.

Ho claimed that his Weibo account had been hacked but the message had already gone viral. The gala was ridiculed as being hypocritical as it "cooked up fake comments under the name of fighting fake products."

Many Web users mocked the expose by attaching the "Post around 8:20 pm" instruction to their posts.

[Randy W]

.

Again from the Global Times

 

CCTV in hot water after corporate exposé backfires

 

Besides Ho, other Weibo celebrities such as children's author Zheng Yuanjie and popular blogger Liujishou echoed CCTV's criticisms immediately after the episode was screened, raising suspicions of media collusion. Although those under suspicion denied a comments-for-money deal, Kai-fu Lee, another Weibo opinion leader, admitted many TV producers had asked him to publish comments on Weibo.

. . . Some even suspect that enterprises can avoid being exposed by purchasing advertisement time from the station.

CCTV's defenders argue there is nothing wrong in mobilizing opinion leaders to stir up more public attention and put more pressure on enterprises. Weibo has provided a platform for freedom of speech.

 

. . .

But traditional media shouldn't give too much attention to online opinions and be forced into a passive position. Foolishly hankering after online support may come at the cost of credibility.