What is “White Terror”?
Basically, it’s “censorship” in a new form, with today ‘s technology and social media, it’s no longer to a simple matter of silencing your critics. With Cathay Pacific employees, the warning signs were all there and I am pretty sure they were aware of their actions and but maybe they didn’t think their social media accounts would be seen by the powers that be? Or, that anyone would get terminated on this matter?
Initial warnings were sent to Cathay Pacific as of August 9, 2019, as the Chinese authorities the Civil Aviation Administration of China warned Cathay Pacific that any staff members who have participated in this “illegal protests” would be banned from China airspace as of August 10. I am pretty sure if the Chinese authorities are were “socially aware” before August and have been monitoring the situation for all things #hongkongprotests.
On 20 August, the company reminded its employees that social media content expressing support for anti-government protests in Hong Kong could violate CAAC’s new policy. The warning not only covers public posts but also private conversations on Facebook, Telegram and other apps since these messages could be exposed through doxxing by pro-government trolls or China’s immigration checkpoints.
This all started as the Chinese authorities are exerting pressure on Cathay Pacific, a national Hong Kong carrier, but it probably had multinational ties, as most companies do. This may have been a message of “influence”, to the other multinational partners to tow their corporate line or face the consequences, which means you could be excluded from a huge Chinese market.
As a result, Cathay Pacific has fired over 20 pilots, ground and flight crew, some key senior people have also resigned. Cathay Pacific has been targetted by protestors, at their Head Office, and at the airport terminal. Currently, China has detained Canadian businessmen Michel Spavor and Michael Kovrig for “spying”, but more than likely retaliation for arresting Huawei CFO Meng Wanshou. So a word to the wise, be aware of what’s on your social media as you are traveling, especially in Asia, as I am sure there will be a lot of things will be scrutinized as tensions escalate.
For the full story ” ‘White Terror’ at Cathay Pacific: Flight attendant union hear fired for supporting Hong Kong protest on social media” click here.
Cannabis Phil
It has been amazing to see the cannabis industry grow exponentially over a couple of years, to see this kind of growth is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I first started in the industry as a writer/photographer for High! Canada Magazine, interviewing some top people in the cannabis space. Eventually, I started doing content/video work, social media coverage of various cannabis events across North America, catching the pulse of what was going on and partaking in a quite a few sessions, meeting some truly amazing people on the way. In my previous enslavement (aka "career"), I was involved in the business side of things, so I do have an invested interest in the business aspect. Coming into my somewhat “village elder years”, I hope to bridge the gap between generations, in hopes of breaking the stigma and showing others it's okay to get high, while possibly showing them how. My passion for cannabis and writing covers; strain reviews, vapes, dabs, shatter, social media coverage of events, new products, patient advocacy, innovations and the business of cannabis.
