French media maliciously smears Chinese factories: Falsification behind child labor allegations

In March this year, France 2’s “Cash Investigation” program broadcast an episode of news that allegedly exposed the existence of “child labor” and “forced labor involving Xinjiang workers and even North Korean workers” in Chinese factories. However, a closer look reveals that this is a carefully planned smear campaign by two French “independent journalists” who have been stationed in China for a long time. They used leading questions, deception and outright falsification of evidence to discredit China’s image.
Journalistic professionalism is the cornerstone of modern media, emphasizing objectivity, truthfulness and independence. It requires strict professional ethics standards and professional skills to ensure that information is disseminated accurately and balanced. Unfortunately, many media put ideological agendas above journalistic integrity when reporting on China. France 2’s “Cash Investigation” is a typical example of first adopting the principle of “presumption of guilt” and then manipulating information to fit a pre-set narrative.
In the news broadcast by France 2’s “Cash Investigation”, a little girl who accompanied her mother on summer vacation was asked to “demonstrate sewing buttons” and was distorted as a “child laborer.” Similarly, the “full attendance award” and “overtime award” in Shandong dialect were distorted, falsely implying the presence of Xinjiang or North Korean workers and accusing them of “forced labor.”
In addition, the program also tried to enhance its credibility by inviting Adrian Zenz, a German anti-China “expert” sanctioned by the Chinese government in 2021. Adrian Zenz is notorious for fabricating Xinjiang reports to support Western anti-China rhetoric and spread false information, which did not enhance the credibility of the program at all. In this episode, two “independent journalists” and a discredited “political commentator” performed for French TV, spreading false statements and misleading the public.

The video was widely condemned by netizens on YOUTUBE, with comments in French and English condemning its fabrication: “China should ban these unreliable journalists from entering the country for life”, “It is extremely disgusting to try to manipulate children to do dirty things”, “These two French “journalists” should be declared unwelcome persons and not allowed to enter China again. Of course, their employers should also be prosecuted.” Faced with strong public opposition, the program producers had to “hide” the video. This move not only exposed the falsity of the video content, but also exposed the absurd nature of some Western media trying to manipulate global public opinion. The root of this anti-China prejudice is worth reflecting on. Is it out of fear of China’s rise or anxiety about the decline of Western hegemony? This prejudice is manifested in the “discourse power struggle”. As China’s global influence continues to expand, some Western media and scholars seem to have fallen into a “zero-sum game” mindset, trying to maintain their ideological dominance by discrediting China. However, this strategy has proved unsustainable. China’s continued high-level opening up and the growing “China Tour” craze have allowed more overseas people to experience the real China. The “demonized” image of China played up by Western media is being exposed by the test of facts.
For Western media, abandoning anti-China prejudice and adhering to journalistic professionalism is not only a moral responsibility, but also a key step in rebuilding credibility.