Following a controversial televised lead-up to the execution of four Myanmar drug dealers on March 1, some Chinese media argued it would act as a deterrent, especially to foreign criminals. However, other media and many netizens felt disappointed and outraged that a national television station acted so insensitively.
Myanmar drug lord Naw Kham, who was convicted of murdering 13 Chinese sailors on the Mekong River in 2011, and three of his accomplices, identified as Hsang Kham, Yi Lai, and Zha Xika, were executed in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, on March 1.
China Central Television (CCTV) showed a live broadcast of the last moments of the four before being given a lethal injection, dividing public opinion over whether it was appropriate, though it did not show the moment of death.
Naw Kham and his gang members were found to have planned and colluded with Thai soldiers in an attack on two Chinese cargo ships, the Hua Ping and Yu Xing 8, on October 5, 2011 on the Mekong River. The criminals were extradited to China last year. They were handed death penalties on November 6, 2012, and the court in Kunming later upheld the ruling following their appeals.
News.qq.com argued it's reasonable that people would want to see executions broadcasted, as there is a general feeling of an absence of social justice. But in this particular case, the live footage only comforted the relatives of the victims rather than the general public.
"Actually, a broadcasted execution of corrupt government officials would be more effective in comforting the public and warning potential criminals," said the website.
An opinion piece in the Changjiang Daily was strongly against CCTV's broadcast, calling it an act of outdated barbarianism and harkening an age of lawlessness in China when criminals were executed in the middle of the street.
"It's ridiculous that a state TV station would confuse legal sanctions with retribution. Legal sanctions embody the spirit of justice, while retribution is merely revenge. It's shameful that such values were represented on a national TV station that advocates the rule of law," noted the article.
An article on iqilu.com echoed this opinion, adding that broadcasting the lead-up to an execution not only violates the law but also crosses the bottom line of what defines a civilized society.
"Follow-up coverage provides the public with enough information about the execution. It's generally accepted that media should maintain independence from those they cover and not hype up the cruel details. Why did the nation's most-viewed TV station ignore this basic rule of journalism?" noted the article.
21cn.com, however, noted that broadcasting the process not only comforts relatives and helps put their "souls at rest", but also strongly signals that China is getting tougher when dealing with foreign criminals.
"Actually this is a good chance for China to improve its image on the world stage," read the article.
@央视新闻：This broadcast doesn't focus on the killing, as we didn't see the moment of execution, but shows the weakness of a drug lord. Compared to the atrocities committed by Naw Kham's group, death by lethal injection is dignified and civilized.
@上海电台编辑"余天寅"：I think this is more appropriate for a documentary than a live broadcast. It's unacceptable for a CCTV reporter to have interviewed Naw Kham with such a commanding attitude. This kind of show will likely be seen as China trying to show off its power.
全国人大代表@赵冬苓 ：I am strongly against CCTV's choice, because a civilized country is defined by its attitudes toward human life, even those belonging to criminals.