By Zhang Haizhou (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-04-18 06:57

The wave of anger and patriotism generated by CNN's recent offensive coverage of China has produced a smash hit song and stirred millions of Internet users into an online show of solidarity.

Don't Be Too CNN, a track that lampoons the network for its coverage and analysis of the Tibetan riots, is written and performed by an online singer who calls herself "Murong Xuan".

It is backed by a music video contrasting CNN footage and what is really taking place in Tibet, and the lyrics attack distorted and biased coverage of the recent riots in Lhasa.

"Why do you rack your brains in trying to turn black into white? Don't be too CNN," Murong croons.

"CNN solemnly swears that everything on it is the truth, but I've gradually discovered this is actually a deception."

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As the song continues, images of burnt-out shops and smoke rising over Lhasa flash across the screen repeatedly.

"Don't think that repeating something over and over again (means that) lies become truth," the lyrics run.

The song had been played 160,000 times by 7 pm yesterday on video.sina.com.cn. Other portal websites have also used it.

One netizen left a message on the website requesting Murong to sing the song in English for "all peace-lovers around the world".

Hu Linlin from Ningbo, Zhejiang province, suggested it would be a good idea to promote the track through karaoke, arguably China's most popular form of entertainment.

"This will be the best way to make the song a real hit, " she said.

But K-TV heavyweights Partyworld and Melody said they didn't have any plans yet to promote the smash hit.

CNN's credibility has taken a dive in China ever since the network cropped photos of a mob attacking military vehicles from a photograph in order to portray an overbearing military presence in Lhasa.

The network again outraged the Chinese people when commentator Jack Cafferty called the Chinese "goons and thugs" and Chinese products "junk".

Meanwhile, millions of Chinese netizens put off by the bias in Western media coverage of the Tibetan riots have festooned their MSN messenger names with hearts and "CHINA".

MSN contact lists of netizens have steadily filled up with the symbols of solidarity since Wednesday.

One MSN user told reporters the symbol's ubiquity underlined the Chinese people's love for their country.

"Heart + CHINA means 'I love China'," said one user who calls herself "Heart + CHINA Yao" on her contact details.

"It also means all Chinese people are united in supporting our country when it faces challenges."