Duval Times

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Chuck Grassley have taken a stand against American media outlets accepting funding from China Daily, a publication linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In a joint effort, Rubio and Grassley sent letters to the CEOs of nine media companies, including The Seattle Times, the Houston Chronicle, The Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, TIME, USA Today, the Financial Times, the Sun Sentinel, and the Chicago Tribune.

Rubio and Grassley expressed their concerns in the letters, emphasizing the dangers of collaborating with a CCP propaganda outlet. Rubio stated, “No American media outlet should serve as a mouthpiece for the CCP,” while Grassley highlighted the CCP's attempts to influence American citizens and national security. The senators urged the media companies to sever ties with China Daily and any other CCP-affiliated entities.

The letters addressed the issue of China Daily's propaganda efforts and financial influence on U.S. media outlets. The senators pointed out that despite previous revelations of China Daily violating reporting requirements and funding American media, some outlets have chosen to maintain their relationship with the CCP-affiliated publication. Rubio and Grassley underscored that such partnerships contribute to the dissemination of CCP propaganda and misinformation to the American public.

The senators concluded their letters by calling on the media companies to prioritize ethical journalism and national interests over financial gains from the CCP. They requested a prompt response from the CEOs regarding their decision to end collaborations with China Daily and other CCP-linked organizations.

Rubio and Grassley's initiative reflects growing concerns within the U.S. government about foreign influence on American media and the need to uphold journalistic integrity and independence.