Nebraska Governor Dismisses Reporter as 'Communist Chinese'

A reporter of Chinese descent, Yanqi Xu, has spoken out after Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen dismissed her article on his company, Pillen Family Farms, by stating that "the author is from Communist China." Xu, an immigrant from China who reports for Flatwater Free Press, called Pillen's comments biased and potentially fitting into a narrative of "othering people of Chinese descent." The Nebraska Journalism Trust, Xu's employer, published a column in her defense, expressing their support and condemning the governor's remarks. The Asian American Journalists Association also released a statement supporting Xu, emphasizing the importance of an independent and diverse press corps. Xu, who has received an outpouring of support, believes it is crucial to hold the governor accountable and highlight that one's country of origin does not define them.