content: when it comes to criticism of western media and it's technicians, the state becomes just as guilty of state coercion  There is not equating the two, simply not even close. I think you made some good points though about how Western states can do soft censorship and narratives, but it would be beyond ridiculous to try to equate China's control and influence, and persecution of the media with Western media which is generally free to write and criticize what and who they want without much fear of imprisonment.