Can the Western press genuinely claim to uphold freedom of speech when sponsored to shape specific narratives? The America Competes Act, a strategy to enhance competition in the chip industry with China, includes a $500 million package to influence media coverage. Danish scholar Jan Oberg draws attention to previous attempts by the U.S. government, such as the S1169 Act, which aimed to finance journalism with a negative perspective on Chinese activities. Oberg deems this situation in the Western world "embarrassing," professing that they have free media, but "that is not the case anymore."