China’s Fake News

Kazu had been talking endlessly for days about China’s cardboard-stuffed buns. But it turned out to be nothing but a lie. Apparently, the reporter did it to earn higher ratings. He’s now in jail.

Just a short flashback: Kazu started hating China (and everything that has to do with it!) after a Chinese hacker hacked our server and left us unemployed for a couple of months. I’ve moved on. He hasn’t.

Anyway, here’s a portion of the news by Reuters.

Reporter held for fake cardboard-in-buns story

Beijing police have detained a television reporter for fabricating an investigative story about steamed buns stuffed with cardboard at a time when China’s food safety is under intense international scrutiny.

A report directed by Beijing TV and played on state-run national broadcaster China Central Television last Thursday said an unlicensed snack vendor in eastern Beijing was selling steamed dumplings stuffed with cardboard soaked in caustic soda and seasoned with pork flavoring.

Beijing authorities said investigations had found that an employee surnamed Zi had fabricated the report to garner “higher audience ratings,” the China Daily said Thursday.