Recently, I've noticed odd little messages in some of Reuters' photo captions. Here's a good example, published at Yahoo News, June 13, 2007:
A student turns a somersault near one of the mascots for the 2008 Beijing Olympic games at an Olympic education model school in Miyun County of Beijing June 8, 2007 file photo. What do the conflict in Darfur, forced evictions, media freedoms and the rights of migrant laborers have in common? The answer is China and the 2008 Olympics. (Jason Lee/Reuters)
I wonder why the reporter decided to add his personal question and answer, and why Reuters allows such reporting.
To date, no country has done nearly enough to stop genocide in Darfur. China has been especially irresponsible – protecting Khartoum at the U.N. Security Council, selling arms to the Sudanese government, and buying Sudan's oil – giving the regime roughly half of its $2 billion in oil export revenues. Through its economic, political, and military support of the government of Sudan, China is the most influential nation allowing the Sudanese government to continue to commite mass atrocities. China is therefore in a position to exert real and consequential influence on the crisis in Darfur. China’s immense interest in hosting a successful Olympics makes its leaders susceptible to pressure from the global community. As the Games approach, advocates for security in Darfur have an extraordinary opportunity to reach out to the Chinese government, in its role as host, to urge Beijing’s leaders to use their considerable influence with Sudan. Please visit www.dreamfordarfur.org to learn more about the Olympic Dream for Darfur campaign, and to find out how individuals can encourage China to pressure Sudan to accept a robust civilian protection force in Darfur.
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