China's "50 cent army", does it really exist?

[ABC]

So for a long time now people have talked about this "50 cent army" of paid posters, which according to someone's research, numbers some 280 thousand.
http://www.CNN.com/2010/TECH/03/26/china.astroturf/index.html


So do you think they actually exist? Do you really think the Chinese government is paying people to write internet posts? And are there actually any evidence for all this(other than some posters are pro-China, so they must be 50 cent'ers.) And if you think it's true is it a big deal?

[divea]

The report quotes its own reporter

Editor's Note: Rebecca MacKinnon, who is quoted in this article, is a former CNN journalist.

then

According to noted China researcher Rebecca MacKinnon, the answer is China, which allegedly employs 280,000 people to troll the Internet and make the government look good.

And you have a news story and discussion boards will go abuzz on the alleged story.....from where I come from we call it a rumour.

Even if it is true, big deal. I am sure Governments in our own countries are lying to us and paying people to lie to us too.

[jimipresley]

Even if it is, big deal. I am sure Governments in our own countries are lying to us and paying people to lie to us too.

Sometimes I am in awe of your astuteness, Ms Divea!

[BigJohn]

Attention all 50 centers!

It's time to do a mass attack on all forums, BBS services, blogs and other sites with comments.

The objective: the belief that there is an army of 50 centers employed by the Chinese government to manipulate publicc opinion on China or issues of great importance to China. This idea is negative to China's image and must be repressed.

Do your best to quash this idea, using mockery, standard dirty argument techiniques (straw man, ad hominem, etc) and taking advantage of people's natural laziness in not wanting to do extensive research to oppose your point.

Onward glorious Han brothers! Down with anyone who might pop the bubble of our chauvinistic superiority complex!

[Mucha Man]

:lol: The report quotes its own reporter

Editor's Note: Rebecca MacKinnon, who is quoted in this article, is a former CNN journalist.

then

According to noted China researcher Rebecca MacKinnon, the answer is China, which allegedly employs 280,000 people to troll the Internet and make the government look good.

And you have a news story and discussion boards will go abuzz on the alleged story.....from where I come from we call it a rumour.

Even if it is true, big deal. I am sure Governments in our own countries are lying to us and paying people to lie to us too.

It is a big deal, and ignorant (sorry but that is the most accurate word for your post) comments that we do it to don't wash with anyone who has ever lived in both China and its opposite: a free country. Yes, our countries engage in propoganda but they don't arrest and jail those who point this out, nor do we have an official propoganda department that tells the media what they can report.

You've got kids. If their school falls down on them where do you want to live: China where you'll be arrested for making inquiries into why the fuckign school fell down when the mayors house beside it didn't, or anywhere free where you can ask these questions and use the press to hold people's feet to the fire?

You know the answer, so stop making ridiculous statements that the gross pigs that run China are the equivalent to democratic leaders.

[divea]

Yeah Jimi Presley gets 50 cents for every 10 posts he makes.

[divea]

Muzha man, Please go ahead and do the China bashing. Please. Just don't base it on an alleged report.

According to noted China researcher Rebecca MacKinnon, the answer is China, which allegedly employs 280,000 people to troll the Internet and make the government look good.

Oh wait a minute, let's still do it. Go ahead. No one's stopping you.

1. I was born in a free country. Lived there for 25 years.

2. Lived in China for 4

3. If sth. happens to my kids, no one will help me in my own country either. In other large democracies, govts. turn a blind eye to social issues too. Just recently a poster was saying sth. about dealing with kids being raped (oh yeah abuse is politically correct) and authorities giving her a shrug off.

You know the answer, so stop making ridiculous statements that the gross pigs that run China are the equivalent to democratic leaders.

And you should stop insulting pigs.

[jimipresley]

Yeah Jimi Presley gets 50 cents for every 10 posts he makes.

Yeah! Maoman! Where's my damn 21000 cents?

[BigJohn]

Yeah Jimi Presley gets 50 cents for every 10 posts he makes.

Yeah! Maoman! Where's my damn 21000 cents?

That's 210 NTD! I'll take care of that myself - I'll buy you a Guinness!

[divea]

Yeah Jimi Presley gets 50 cents for every 10 posts he makes.

Yeah! Maoman! Where's my damn 21000 cents?

Sheesh, the 11th commandment. Know thy employer. And math