Nebraska governor sparks anger after dismissing Chinese journalist’s reporting of his hog farms because she’s ‘from communist China’

Asked about Omaha-based Yanqi Xu’s story revealing high nitrate levels on his properties, Republican Jim Pillen said ‘author is from communist China’

Asian American Journalists Association voices support for award-winning journalist, denounces ‘statements that may fuel xenophobia or prejudice’

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Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen speaks at the the state capitol in Lincoln. Photo: Omaha World-Herald via AP

Published: 4:21am, 19 Oct 2023Updated: 6:29pm, 20 Oct 2023

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen is facing backlash from lawmakers and the journalism community after he dismissed the reporting of a Chinese journalist on the basis of her nationality.

Yanqi Xu of the Omaha-based Flatwater Free Press wrote a piece in September revealing that 16 of the hog farms owned or operated by the Republican governor’s family have recorded nitrate levels higher than what is considered safe to drink.

Days later, Pillen was asked on local radio station KFAB about the story.

“Number one, I didn’t read it. And I won’t,” he said. “Number two, all you got to do is look at the author. The author is from communist China. What more do you need to know?”

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In a statement on Thursday, the Asian American Foundation slammed Pillen’s remark as “not only appalling but also outright racist”.