Senators Urge Media Outlets to Sever Ties with China Daily

Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., recently demanded that nine U.S. media outlets sever ties with China Daily, a Chinese state-controlled newspaper.

The senators sent letters to the Seattle Times, Houston Chronicle, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Time, Financial Times, South Florida Sun Sentinel, and Chicago Tribune urging them to cut their connections with China Daily.

In a statement from Rubio’s office, it was stated that China Daily, a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda publication, has been spreading misinformation and lies through collaboration with U.S. news outlets catering to English-speaking audiences.

The senators emphasized in their letters that it is unacceptable for any American media outlet to serve as a mouthpiece for the CCP. They highlighted the CCP’s efforts to intimidate American citizens, interfere with national security, and influence elections, and called on the media outlets to disassociate from China Daily immediately.

According to the senators, China Daily works to subvert U.S. news media and amplify the CCP’s goals and ambitions. Several years ago, FARA filings revealed that U.S. media outlets were accepting funds from China Daily, prompting some outlets to cut ties. The senators emphasized the importance of severing connections with a propaganda outlet owned and operated by the Chinese Communist Party.

Three years ago, Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, called on then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to prevent China Daily from being delivered to congressional offices, citing concerns about CCP influence. Hinson expressed dismay at receiving unsolicited copies of China Daily in her office.