So @ClancyReports told me the other day that he doesn’t “think many journalists took Beijing’s number at face value.”

In good faith, I thought maybe he was one of the good ones so I took a peak at his tweets on China.

Spoiler: Jim is a uniquely good example of my point. Thread.

First and foremost, I took a look to see if he’s parroted China’s numbers.

He has.

But it goes so, so far beyond that.

He’s also pushed the ridiculous notion that China’s new cases are only coming from outside China.

He’s pushed actual Chinese propaganda from @SCMPNews, a well-known mouthpiece for Beijing, and beyond. Including plenty that is pretty obviously anti-American in its intent.

Just look at these headlines.

He’s helped cover for China even when Americans have criticized China’s propaganda campaign. Including giving voice to their propaganda minister.

He’s helped extol the spread of China’s “model of virus management” without mentioning the parts about disappearing dissidents and killing doctors.

This is just beyond me.

This isn’t anything new. He’s pushed Chinese propaganda since the start of this thing.

Plus, like many media folks, he was quick to push the thinking that the virus may not be that serious...a perspective they attack Trump over.

It’s not even new relative to the outbreak. He’s done this before, too.

China as anti-pollution leader, absent the context of their leading the world in output? Classic PR bait-and-switch.

This one presented without introduction.

So, @ClancyReports, I would reiterate that I believe you’re mistaken about the role journalists have played in all this.

If you’re looking for some examples, your twitter history is a good place to start.

And as should go without saying, this isn’t a problem limited to @ClancyReports.

This is a mentality and worldview that is rampant among journalists, and it’s an enormous problem that is actively undermining our response to this pandemic.