China has asked the N.B.A to fire a team executive, Daryl Morey, after he posted a tweet in support of protesters in Hong Kong. Although the Chinese government denies this, it is clear that the tweet was taken negatively. Games were not aired in China while several Chinese companies also denounced him and cut ties with the Rockets, a popular team in China.
The outrage wasn’t contained amongst the Chinese either. After the NBA publicly apologized about how offensive the tweet may have been to “friends and fans in China”, many American politicians and fans snapped back, accusing the NBA of submitting to China in order to preserve profits. However, Adam Silver, the league commissioner, explained that the apology was misinterpreted, and renewed his support for both Morey and free speech. As a result, China Central Television, the state-run television network, canceled its broadcasts of games between the Lakers and the Nets, along with other related events and promotions.
Silver stands by with the ideals behind Morey’s tweet saying, “these American values, - we are an American business - travel with us wherever we go.” While he stands by Morey’s tweet in support of the Hong Kong protestors, he also expresses his support for Joe Tsai, the owner of the Nets' decision to criticize Morey and the Hong Kong protestors.
- What are the implications of foreign countries trying to restrict the free speech of American businesses?
- Does China have too much influence in American businesses and politics?
- What does it say about our own ideals of freedom of speech, if we continue to support a country that restricts that of its people.
1. America must stand strong and refuse to give in when other countries try to restrict the free speech of Americans. It is important that we hold true to our ideals, whether other countries agree or not, so we should never allow our speech to be suppressed because it goes against the ideals of those who disagree.
ReplyDelete2. China has a great amount of influence in American business, but rightfully so as they drive our economy through oversea imports. They are a key trade partner of America, so they have naturally gained that influence. As for politics, it seems as if China is not a huge factor in America, leading me to believe that they have little influence if any.
3. I do not believe that it is necessarily negative to continue to partner with a country that does not share the same values as us in relation to freedom of speech. America guarantees that right to it's own citizens, not everyone around the world, so we are not obligated to force the Chinese government to value the same things as us. As long as we are not directly inflicting suppression of speech around the world, I see no problem in continuing an economic relationship with China that is beneficial to both countries.
2. China does have an influence in American businesses because U.S and China share trading partnership of goods and services. As a result, profitable American businesses are forced to make compromises in order to do business in China. As one of our major trading partners, so far, China's influence on the US has mainly been economic.
ReplyDelete3) We aren't supporting the country's values, but rather their economy, as they play a large role in ours. We do not affiliate or associate our government with theirs in terms of how we operate, but rather in various fiscal forms.
ReplyDeleteWhen a foreign country goes on to pressure American businesses, Americans suffer the consequences. Businesses act as a way for Americans to express their voices and support within our Democracy. When the parts of our businesses are infringed upon by pressure from foreign nations, American’s ability to operate freely deteriorates.
ReplyDeleteChina currently owns many American businesses and has far too great an influence in America. Nike is one company that has been known to have large foreign investors, especially within China. As a result of Nike’s influence, the National Basketball Association (NBA), which is largely run by sports brands such as Nike, has become an asset to China. Even the NBA’s own players such as LeBron James refuse to condemn China for its oppressive rule over our freedom of speech. Through the many endorsements present, China effectively is able to limit the speech of public figures which set a precedent for the U.S. as a whole.
If we are willing to sacrifice our freedom to a foreign country, it shows that we are taking our first amendment for granted and we have care for the precedents set within our country. If we allow ourselves to be dominated by not even our own country, we are making a big mistake. We must rethink our priorities in America by reinvesting thoughts in who we side with.
3. Although the Rockets are by far my least favorite NBA team, I think Morey had the right and an obligation to speak out about China's wrongdoings. The NBA is extremely popular in China, and Morey's comment had far reaching consequences for the NBA and player's salaries and endorsement deals. However, in this case, our ideals as a country should come before profit. Adam Silver and the NBA had a chance to send a message that America and American businesses stand for equality and human rights.
ReplyDelete2. China has way too much influence in American business and politics. China should not be able to prevent the freedom of speech of an American businessman. Additionally, China has too much say on the economy in America. In order to lessen China control over us we must become more independent and lessen the involvement China has on our economy.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the NBA submitted an apology to China for supporting the Hong Kong protests can be used as proof of the immense influence that China extends over our business and politics. It also demonstrates the large difference between the values of the government in China and in the United States. The NBA showed support for people exercising their democratic right to express themselves. Protests are a very common occurrence in the US, and people are able to openly express their opinions for or against the government. However, China limits these rights greatly, and their reaction to the NBA’s comments reflects a cultural difference in the amount of individual expression that is allowed in each country. Also, the NBA’s decision to rescind its statement reflects the US’s reliance on China for economic growth in business.
ReplyDeleteDoes China have too much influence in American businesses and politics?
ReplyDeleteIt does have a great influence in american companies because of the opportunity to make a lot of money in China is a dream for american companies. Due to the population there's a lot of chinese consumers in it. In addition there is less restriction and their is cheaper cost in personnel. China has a big influence in American business because the NBA really didn’t care about much about the AMerica reaction, compared to the Chinese one. They mostly say that they are looking it at a business perspective and that they need to be in good terms. In other worlds sucking up to China.
Ethan Gardner
ReplyDelete1. I think that while foreign countries really have no ability to prevent free speech within America, it is important to note Chin'a overall influence as our main trade partner. It is very important that we maintain friendly relations with China because our economies depend on each other, and so China was able to influence how the tweet was handled in America. Overall, however, I don't think foreign countries have the capacity to inhibit free speech within America.
3. This entire situation was essentially controlled by China. An American executive simply voiced an opinion on the internet about a foreign country, something completely acceptable in American society, and received copious backlash from China. The backlash was such that the executive was forced to take down the tweet and issue a formal apology. Now, it is clear that companies that do business with China can no longer speak out about the human rights abuses the country is committing against its citizens. It is very disheartening to see freedom of speech, one of the most important American values, go to waste over disputes over profits and money lost from speaking your mind. Clearly freedom of speech is not as important as economic gain for the NBA.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think that the Chinese government should acknowledge that the NBA is an American business therefore, they align with American values. The value of the first amendment specifically, freedom of speech is one of the most important values in American society. Morey has the right to state his opinion on the Hong Kong protests whether he would have backlash from China for it with Adam Silver also agreeing with Morey to state his opinion freely.
ReplyDeleteBecause of the relationship between US and China, I would think that they do partially have an influence on the decisions companies make. US companies definitely benefit from their business ties with China. However, Morey should have recognized that posting a tweet supporting Hong Kong would have negative consequences. If he truly believes in free speech, he would have no problem speaking out against the situation between China and Hong Kong.
ReplyDeleteChina has too much influence on American businesses through the current Hong Kong protests. Almost everyone living in America or any other democracy support the Hong King protesters. However, many companies are in support of China, due to the fact they do not want to lose profits by being censored from China, delaying progress in Hong Kong. China controls American companies, making the organizations outright support them no matter what, restricting free speech and illustrating Chinese control over these companies.
ReplyDelete1. What are the implications of foreign countries trying to restrict the free speech of American businesses?
ReplyDeleteAny foreign country attempting to restrict the free speech of any other business, that isn't their own has many issues in itself, being that Americans should stick to their ideals and make sure their free speech isn't silenced. Although China specifically is a big part of our foreign trade, that doesn't mean that restricting free speech should be allowed.