CCTV FOLLIES 8.7 Flood damage control

Media transforms flood disaster into political victory for CCP! -Xi is still AWOL but his words and images continue to inspire -CCP response to floods unassailable -Russia mad about Kherson bridge

Aug 07, 2023

Looking at the flood rescue photo above one might be tempted to ask, how many orange-suited rescue workers does it take to save a log, but it’s not the log that counts, what’s important is to appear dedicated and industrious in front of the camera.

The clearest sign that the flood story is receding is that today’s top story has nothing to do with the flood. The flood relief effort did get top billing over the weekend, mostly an assortment of rescue workers dressed in bright colors doing iconic things, like stamping on sandbags, moving people with tractors, shoveling mud, assisting old ladies by lifting them on their back and cradling children.

But today it’s mostly back to business, which means some inexorably upbeat segments on how well China’s economy is doing, because one of the few things even more damaging and dangerous for CCP’s mandate than botched disaster control is a botched economy. But rest assured, the economy is booming, digital, shiny and bright.

For viewers who hunger a more imperial gesture of reassurance, the appearance of this hand, perhaps the most famous hand in China, is a sign that Xi Jinping is back on the scene, and back at the top of the news, even though it’s taped footage from May.

Why fret about the flood when you have uplifting images like this to consider?

The flood can’t be ignored completely, but it drops a notch in broadcast order because there are no pictures of Xi Jinping during the flood crisis. He might as well have been hiding in a bunker. But he did send an emissary, and Zhang Quoqing, a vice premier who was formerly the mayor of Tianjin and Chongqing, is on the scene, looking determined and resolute despite the casual wear, rolling up his sleeves and getting down to work seemingly unaware of the presence of CCTV’s camera and lights.

Zhang Guoqing offers heartfelt thanks to the selfless rescue workers who responded to Xi Jinping’s clarion call in which he reminded everyone that the people’s lives and property are paramount.

Indeed, it’s hard to find a frame of flood coverage that does not include PLA troops, People’s Armed Police, party volunteers or uniformed rescue workers, because that’s what the story is really all about at this point. Disaster struck, Xi gave the call, the CCP responded in timely and unassailable manner and everything’s pretty much okay and back to normal now. Flags and banners are already declaring victory against flood.

In a sequence that brings to mind the exploits of safari-suited producers from BBC or CNN roaming the Third World for a good shot, CCTV imposes itself on a PLA-manned boat crew, and when the boat gets stuck in the mud, the TV crew interviews the very much put-upon men who are trying to move the boat which is laden with a few sample rescue supplies and a weighty TV crew composed of cameraman, reporter and producer. But hey, it’s all serving the people, because journalists are people, too.

The vox populi segment is truly inspiring.

We shall not deviate from the spirit of implementing Xi Jinping’s important directives.

We got so much help from the government at all levels.

We’ve been watching the water levels very closely.

Nothing like being waited on by soldiers for a replenishing pre-packed meal.

In other news, the heavy rains may have raised concerns about the expected abundance of the autumn harvest, but the CCP is on the scene strengthening appropriate measures to guarantee the harvest will be good.