Reuters Deletes Video of Xi and Putin After China's State-Controlled TV Network Demands Takedown

China Didn't Want You to See This Video of Xi and Putin. So Reuters Deleted It In a shocking move, news agency Reuters removed a video from its website and social media feeds after receiving a takedown letter from China Central Television (CCTV), the state-controlled television network that had licensed footage of the event. The video showed Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing organ transplantation as a means of life extension and perhaps immortality during a September 3 Victory Day Parade in China. According to Reuters' own reporting, the footage was initially aired on September 3, but two days later, on September 5, the news agency yanked it from its website. The video had been part of a larger report on the parade, which marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in China. "We received a takedown letter from CCTV's lawyer, HE Danning, stating that the editorial treatment applied to this material has resulted in a clear misrepresentation of the facts and statements contained within the licensed feed," said a Reuters spokesperson. "We respect the intellectual property rights of our content providers and have removed the video as requested." The incident raises questions about censorship and the role of state-controlled media in shaping public discourse. "This is a classic case of censorship by proxy," said Dr. Emily Chen, a media studies expert at the University of California, Berkeley. "CCTV is exerting its influence over Reuters to silence a story that may be uncomfortable for the Chinese government." The Victory Day Parade was a significant event in China, marking the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War. The parade featured military hardware and troops from various countries, including Russia. Putin and Xi Jinping were both in attendance, and their conversation about organ transplantation was caught on hot mic. The discussion between the two leaders has sparked debate among experts and observers. "This is not just a matter of two world leaders discussing a scientific topic," said Dr. Mark Davis, a bioethicist at Harvard University. "It raises questions about the ethics of life extension and the implications for society." As the incident continues to unfold, it remains unclear what will happen next. Reuters has stated that it will continue to report on the story, but with caution. The Chinese government has not commented publicly on the matter. Background: The Victory Day Parade was a significant event in China, marking the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War. The parade featured military hardware and troops from various countries, including Russia. Putin and Xi Jinping were both in attendance, and their conversation about organ transplantation was caught on hot mic. Additional Perspectives: Dr. Emily Chen, a media studies expert at the University of California, Berkeley, said that this incident highlights the complex relationship between state-controlled media and independent news agencies. "CCTV is exerting its influence over Reuters to silence a story that may be uncomfortable for the Chinese government," she said. Dr. Mark Davis, a bioethicist at Harvard University, noted that the discussion between Putin and Xi Jinping raises questions about the ethics of life extension and the implications for society. "This is not just a matter of two world leaders discussing a scientific topic," he said. "It has significant implications for human dignity and the values we hold dear." Current Status: The incident continues to unfold, with Reuters stating that it will continue to report on the story, but with caution. The Chinese government has not commented publicly on the matter. Next Developments: As the situation continues to evolve, it remains unclear what will happen next. Will Reuters face further pressure from CCTV or the Chinese government? How will this incident impact the relationship between state-controlled media and independent news agencies? Only time will tell. *Reporting by Theintercept.*