Disney bows to pressure from China, censors 'Simpsons' episode mocking Chinese censorship in Hong Kong



Disney has removed an episode of "The Simpsons" that mocks Chinese censorship practices from its online streaming service in Hong Kong, adding to growing concerns that Western companies will start kowtowing to the Chinese Communist Party's pressure tactics in the once-free territory.

What are the details?

The Hong Kong Free Press reported over the weekend that episode 12 of season 16, titled, “Goo Goo Gai Pan,” was not available on Disney Plus amid the streaming service's rollout this month.

The episode, which was first broadcast in 2005, reportedly follows the fictional cartoon family on a trip to mainland China, where they pay visits to the mummified body of former Chairman Mao Zedong and Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

Episode 12 of Season 16 of The Simpsons is missing from the newly-launched Disney+ streaming platform in Hong Kong. The episode references Chairman Mao and the Tiananmen Massacre. HKFP has reached out to Disney for comment.pic.twitter.com/ecXXiwae70
— Hong Kong Free Press HKFP (@Hong Kong Free Press HKFP) 1638011970

While standing over the body of Mao Zedong, Homer Simpson describes the ex-leader as “a little angel that killed 50 million people," according to the New York Times.

Then, during the Tiananmen Square stop, the family encounters a line of tanks in reference to the famous “tank man” photo taken during a 1989 student uprising there. In response to the demonstration, the People's Liberation Army massacred thousands of students and other pro-democracy protesters.

The Simpsons also encounter a plaque in the blood-stained square that states, “On this site, in 1989, nothing happened" — an obvious jab at the Chinese government’s blatant attempts to suppress public memory of the massacre.

Why does it matter?

Disney's censorship reportedly marks the first time a major American media company has suppressed anti-CCP content in Hong Kong, but many fear it won't be the last.

“This is the first notable time an American streaming giant has censored content in Hong Kong,” Kenny Ng, an associate professor specializing in film censorship at Hong Kong Baptist University, told Bloomberg News.

“Basically, the whole story is for streaming companies to be more tailored to a Chinese audience and to not offend the Chinese government,” he added. “This is likely to continue in the future with more companies with financial interests in China.”

What's the background?

Hong Kong residents have seen many of their civil liberties hampered in recent months following Beijing's imposition of a sweeping national security law aimed at quashing pro-democracy demonstrations in the territory.

Hong Kong had enjoyed relative autonomy since the British agreed to turn it over to China in 1997 under the Sino-British Joint Declaration. But over the past few years, the communist regime in China has contravened the agreement and effectively terminated the status of one country, two systems.

The latest negative development occurred in October, when Hong Kong's pro-China government put in place a law banning films deemed contrary to China’s national security interests. At the time, it was unclear how major streaming giants such as Netflix, Amazon, and Disney would respond.

Disney has yet to respond to multiple requests for comment from major American news outlets about its recent censorship.

Disney warns viewers 'The Muppet Show' is 'offensive content' that has a 'harmful impact'



The Muppets, fictional hand-puppets that have been entertaining adults and children alike since 1955, are suddenly "offensive."

Disney released five seasons of the iconic "The Muppet Show" on its Disney+ streaming service on Friday. Viewers quickly noticed that there is an "offensive content" disclaimer before the beloved sitcom featuring celebrated puppets such as Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and Gonzo.

"This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures," the disclaimer states. "These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now."

"Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together," the warning reads.

"Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe," the statement concludes.

"The Muppet Show" can only be seen on an adult account on Disney's $6.99-a-month streaming service, according to the Daily Mail.

Disclaimer Disney+ displays before you can stream The Muppet Show. https://t.co/afh3zGhX67
— Steve Kovach (@Steve Kovach)1613751551.0

Disney doesn't specify what "negative depictions" and "stereotypes" were so egregious that a content warning was needed for the TV show that originally aired in 1976, and won three BAFTA Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Peabody Award.

Possible "offensive content" could be the puppet named "Animal" "objectifying" and chasing women. The Swedish Chef speaks a gibberish language that is widely interpreted as Swedish-sounding. The variety show featured celebrities, including a 1981 episode featuring legendary singer Johnny Cash performing with the Confederate flag in the background.

In October, Disney added lengthy content warnings for the animated movies "Dumbo," "Peter Pan," and "The Aristocats." Those disclaimers also warned of "negative depictions" and "mistreatment of people or cultures."

In June, a petition went viral that claimed that the Splash Mountain ride at Disney theme parks is "steeped in extremely problematic and stereotypical racist tropes." Disney quickly buckled to the outrage mob and quickly announced that the ride would be "completely reimagined" with a new story inspired by "The Princess and The Frog" movie.

Earlier this month, actress Gina Carano was canceled by an online campaign and fired from the extremely popular "The Mandalorian" because of her social media posts.

Coincidentally, this is the same Disney corporation that filmed the movie "Mulan" in the Xinjiang province of China, where approximately 1 million Uighur Muslims are reportedly being detained and re-educated by the Chinese Communist Party.

Disney went so far as to thank the Publicity Department of Communist Party of China Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Committee and the Turpan Municipality Public Security Bureau in the movie's credits. The Chinese entities have been "implicated in human rights violations and abuses in the implementation of China's campaign of repression, mass arbitrary detention, and high-technology surveillance against Uighurs, Kazakhs, and other members of Muslim minority groups in the XUAR."

Mulan specifically thank the publicity department of CPC Xinjiang uyghur autonomous region committee in the credits… https://t.co/htHEZMLjuC
— Jeannette Ng 吳志麗 (@Jeannette Ng 吳志麗)1599439062.0