A controversial report by France 2's Cash Investigation about labor practices in China has ignited international discussions about journalistic integrity and political bias. The February episode alleged child labor and forced labor involving workers from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), but critics argue the claims were built on manipulated evidence.
Zhou Ting, a professor of International Communication at Communication University of China, analyzed the program's methods in a recent commentary. The report allegedly used leading questions and mistranslations – including misinterpreting a Shandong dialect reference to bonuses as evidence of DPRK workers – to support predetermined conclusions. One contentious scene showed a girl sewing a button during a factory visit with her mother, portrayed by the show as "child labor" despite claims it was a family visit during summer break.
The program drew additional scrutiny for featuring Adrian Zenz, a researcher sanctioned by China in 2021 for his disputed Xinjiang-related reports. Western social media users criticized the episode's credibility, with some French and English comments accusing producers of "staging scenes." France 2 later restricted access to the video amid mounting skepticism.
This incident highlights growing tensions between China and Western media outlets, with Beijing frequently alleging bias in coverage. Experts suggest such controversies could deepen mistrust in international reporting while complicating efforts to address genuine labor rights concerns through constructive dialogue.
