Putting Blogger Anti-Hikvision Rhetoric in Perspective
Where do you get your news and facts? Do you trust your sources? Where does one turn to get accurate facts without hyperbole? We all should be asking ourselves these questions today, when fake news, distorted information and pretend-to-be-media folks are trying to influence the public for the sake of personal gain.
In pursuit of financial gain and clicks, the self-proclaimed “security industry video surveillance information” blogging site devotes many hours and lots of space to negative posts, unfair commentary and false accusations about Hikvision. Does the online blogger devote 100 percent of his time to writing tabloid-style headlines and sensationalist anti-China rhetoric?
Roving Turret of Disparagement and Denigration
It seems that way. But, while Hikvision is undoubtedly its favorite target of late, this is a site that has always trafficked in nefarious insults and innuendo. Hiding behind a keyboard, the tabloid’s staff takes unfounded potshots at our entire industry, bullying one company at a time. It is cyberbullying, and it is a cyberattack on hard-working people. The online blog is a roving turret of disparagement and denigration aimed at good, hard-working people and businesses.
Hikvision and our competitors in the security industry contribute significantly to the North American economy and we’re dedicated to the safety and security of the communities we serve, the same very communities our own employees, colleagues and their families chose to make their home. It’s difficult to fathom what’s behind the security scandal scribe’s perpetual bitter rage at responsible people and companies in the security industry. There is no doubt to many in the industry that this blogger is spreading political hogwash, amateur business commentary, fuzzy facts, and promoting hatred, prejudice, and fear.
A Distraction From Serious Threats
The blogger describes his site’s lofty standards and sacrificial service to the security industry, but he’s really just serving his avaricious and ideological goals. Truth is, he serves up slop that amounts to nothing more than a distraction. In post after petulant post, the site’s scribe and “undisclosed” readers work themselves up into a frenzy about outlandish manufacturer conspiracies.
The paranoid headlines would be comical if not for one thing: We in the security industry are dealing with very, very serious issues. Terrorism and crime in our communities are real threats. We wonder why the blogger—who purports to be so consumed with concern—does not share or acknowledge security manufacturers’, integrators’ and end users’ greatest concerns—terrorism and crime in our communities. Instead, he chooses to distract manufacturers with his pursuit of financial gain and efforts to fulfill his delusions of grandeur. The distraction is a real danger to the entire industry.
Sole Source of Fake News and Distortion About Hikvision
The blog is the sole source of fake news and distortion about Hikvision. An Internet search for negative and inaccurate reports about Hikvision will yield one source: the online scribe’s “articles.” Examine any other false reports and discover they are generally based on the tabloid site’s sensationalist “articles.” The blogger actively seeks out opportunities to be quoted, with the goal of damaging our company’s reputation and our employees’ and partners’ livelihood. There’s no doubt this requires a major financial investment and/or incentive.
Paparazzi and Unethical Tactics
Donning a “media” badge at industry events does not mean that the online site adheres to standard journalistic practices. To the contrary, the scribe behaves like paparazzi in its “information-gathering” tactics. Fortunately, the attempts tend to be obvious and clumsy. The blogger regularly uses others to make obvious email and social media inquiries with Hikvision employees. Recently, the blogger used a fake name “Bob Jones from Isolated Supplies” in repeated calls where he badgered Hikvision tech support workers about his sensationalist headlines. Because “Bob Jones” was so obviously not interested in technical support, “Bob Jones” was quickly flagged as a fake caller. Recordings of “Bob Jones’” calls are now used for training purposes.
The blogger has used these tactics against many in the security industry. His business appears to be financially dependent upon efforts to divide the security industry, and on relentless attempts to discredit honest people and businesses.
This is absolutely unethical, and a further distraction from our focus on fighting terrorism and crime.
Hardworking People and Businesses Will Prevail
Cowardly attacks may win some clicks in the short term, but as a business strategy it’s ultimately a fool’s errand. A tabloid-inspired blog is no match for the determination and dedication of those who work in our industry.
It’s important to put the blogger’s anti-everything rhetoric in perspective. Hikvision, our competitors in this industry, our integrators and our technology partners are searching for the best security solutions and, more importantly, our key goal is to combat terrorism, safeguard people, property and assets, and to make the world a safer place. The hardworking people and businesses will prevail.