In China, a comedy company was fined $2 million for a joke about the army
[ad_1]
Chinese authorities have fined one of the most famous comedy companies 14.7 million yuan ($2.13 million) for a joke about the “People’s Liberation Army of China”. Comedy group Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media Co has been accused of “causing harm to society” after a joke by one of its comedians sparked public outrage, Reuters reported. One of the stand-up artists Li Haoshi, who performs under the pseudonym House, recalled during the performance how two stray dogs chased a squirrel before his eyes. The comedian said it reminded him of the phrase “have a good work style, know how to fight and win battles” – a slogan Chinese President Xi Jinping used in 2013 to praise the work ethic of the PLA. One of the viewers published this excerpt of the show in social networks, calling it “humiliating”. Li’s joke then went viral on Chinese social media and sparked a wave of criticism. Read also: From the Black Sea to Hoverla: a Ukrainian stand-up comedian will walk 850 km to raise funds for the “quick” Army of China. Photo: ChinaImages/Depositphotos The Beijing branch of China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism said it would fine Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media Co 13.35 million yuan and confiscate 1.35 million yuan in “illegal profits.” “We will never allow any company or person to use the Chinese capital as a platform for senseless slander of the glorious image of the People’s Defense Forces,” the agency said. China’s Ministry of Culture also announced that Xiaoguo Culture will be banned from performing any stand-up shows in Beijing. In response to the fine, the company blamed the incident on “serious management lapses” and said it had terminated Li Haoshi’s contract. It will be recalled that earlier stand-up comedian Andriy Shchegel, who fled Ukraine with the permission of the Ministry of Culture, said that the Ukrainian military themselves chose to “die in the war.” After a wave of criticism, he published a video apology, and the ICIP decided to make it more difficult for men of military age, including artists, to obtain permits to travel abroad. Read also: In China, a man was arrested for fake news created through ChatGPT – this is the first case in the world
[ad_2]
Original Source Link
