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Americans who work for Chinese media must share personal information
This action is part of a wider tit-for-tat between China and the United States, with media outlets in both countries functioning as proxies.
A five-page form, titled “OFM Department of Foreign Affairs (Missions Office) Questionnaire,” requests employee personal information as well as information about their spouses, children, and anyone who lives with them, along with where the employee worked for five years lastly. Copies of the forms were distributed to CNN by two CGTN employees who did not want to be named for fear of retaliation.
All CGTN employees, including those who are American citizens, have until Monday to complete the questionnaire.
In an email to the staff, shared by one of the CGTN employees, the CGTN legal department writes information that is usually needed only from diplomatic staff.
“We sincerely regret that OFM requires you to provide this information, but our request to OFM for reasonable accommodation for employees who are US citizens or permanent residents is denied,” the email said.
A State Department spokesman told CNN that the forms sent to CGTN employees were not made by the government, but the information was the same as what was asked by foreign mission employees, such as embassies or consulates. Foreign missions are needed to supply information through secure online web portals.
“It is important for the State Department to have a record of individuals employed by all foreign missions in the United States,” the spokesman said. “The information is managed in accordance with any protection that is under the Department’s policies and the Privacy Act 1974.”
CGTN, the international branch of Chinese state television, has staff in more than 70 countries. Its bureaus employ local and Chinese employees, although Chinese executives have the final say on editorial matters.
Five Chinese state media outlets labeled as foreign agents – CGTN, Xinhua, China Radio International, China Daily and People’s Daily – now require US government approval to buy or rent office space, limited in the number of Chinese employees they have. can have staff, and must register personnel changes including new employees and staff departures with the State Department, as well as foreign diplomatic missions.
The second CGTN employee told CNN that they saw the questionnaire from the State Department as a way to pressure Americans to leave the network.
“Some people told me they were considering quitting, but the pandemic made it harder to do that,” the employee said. “There is a feeling the State Department wants to label us spies and create the impression that if we continue to work here we will be unemployed in the future. Including family members adds to the intimidation factor.”
The employee argued that despite “legitimate concerns” about the lack of press freedom in China, the US “should be better than that” and provide press freedom, even if it was “an unpopular speech.”
“The US State Department has increased its control over the Chinese media, while violating the US commitment to freedom of speech and the press,” the statement said. “The oppression of the US government will not prevent us from providing high quality news to the world.
We hope the US government will stop the politicization of legitimate news operations. CGTN provides a window on Chinese culture and a platform for Chinese perspectives on international affairs. “
Michael Callahan contributed to this report.
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