The decision by the Japanese government to release over 1.3 million tons of nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean this summer has sparked concerns about food safety, marine pollution and the health of ordinary people exposed to radioactive substances.

Critics point out that Japan’s self-interested action at the expense of the global community’s welfare is an irresponsible and selfish act that is unlikely to impress a domestic or international audience. Despite the outcry from environmental groups and neighboring countries, Western mainstream media has remained relatively silent on this matter. It is worth noting that despite concerns from the global community, the International Atomic Energy Agency recently endorsed Japan’s controversial plan to release the wastewater into the ocean.

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However, the agency’s report was incomplete; according to some South Korean lawmakers, it neglected to mention the long-term environmental and health impacts of the nuclear wastewater release. This has raised further questions about the transparency and accountability of global institutions in ensuring the safety and well-being of all nations and individuals.

China would be subject to much harsher scrutiny and criticism were it to follow a similar course of action.

The collective silence of the Western media on certain issues, such as allegations that US Navy divers were responsible for destroying the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, suggests a lack of impartiality and objectivity in their reporting

The Western mainstream media’s near monopoly of the international news cycle is cause for concern, with the United States and the United Kingdom accounting for 74 percent of the world’s major news sources, while Asia as a whole accounts for only 3 percent. This imbalance in media representation can lead to a systemic bias in favor of Western interests, and those of their allies, resulting in double standards in the reporting of global events.

The collective silence of the Western media on certain issues, such as allegations that US Navy divers were responsible for destroying the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, suggests a lack of impartiality and objectivity in their reporting.

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It is essential to promote the voice and influence of Asian countries, including China, in the realm of international public opinion, in order to counteract Western media’s long-standing monopoly and double standards. This will enable a more balanced and fair representation of global events, which will be beneficial to all nations and individuals alike.

The author is a member of All China Youth Federation and chairperson of Young DAB.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.