By Li Fangfang · 2020-12-11 · Source: Web Exclusive
A satirical computer generated image featuring an Australian soldier cutting the throat of a child in Afghanistan has created a furor since November 29, when it was posted by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison demanded China to apologize for the "doctored image," successfully redirecting the international attention from focusing on the country's war crimes to blaming China.
Following Morrison, the media in Australia and its allies such as New Zealand, France, the UK and the U.S., criticized the tweet as misinformation while keeping mum on the Australian soldiers' gruesome deeds in Afghanistan. Neither did they express outrage about the mistreatment of David McBride, a former Australian army lawyer who faces five charges, including breaching the Defense Act, and possible jail, for informing the media about the soldiers' involvement.