Telecom exec calls CCTV news critics ‘low class’

A prominent telecom industry professional sparked controversy Saturday after calling people who don’t watch China Central Television’s (CCTV) flagship evening news program “low class.”

The remarks of Xiang Ligang, chief executive of telecom industry news site cctime.com, offended many Chinese netizens.

“Many people are loyal to the country, but not all of them have time to watch Xinwen Lianbo. How could he consider them low class?” Weibo user “wudong0406” said on Monday.

Xinwen Lianbo is CCTV’s primetime news program.

Many significant news on the Central Committee of the Communist Party have been first aired on Xinwen Lianbo since 1982.

Xiang told the Global Times on Monday that he was arguing with a netizen who played down the Xinwen Lianbo program.

“I wrote about the monotony of Taiwan’s TV programs compared to those of the Chinese mainland. A netizen asked me about Xinwen Lianbo,” Xiang said.

He wrote that his daughters always watch the news bulletin with him to catch up on Chinese politics and economic changes.

The remarks were taken out of context, Xiang stressed.

“They were angry words. Saying “low class” is offensive, but I always call myself ‘a low class person from a small city.’ So I used the term in my post,” Xiang said, noting he did not mean to offend anyone, but said he cannot tolerate people who despise Xinwen Lianbo.

The “low class” are lazy people, greedy people, and people who don’t know how to be grateful or responsible, Xiang explained on Sunday in response to criticism.

Weibo user “Yibuke” supported Xiang, saying, “I have not watched Xinwen Lianbo for years but I don’t feel insulted. Instead, it reminded me of self-examination.”