Hong Kong protests have been ongoing issue, with them going on several months now and many opinions being voiced against China's actions outside of Hong Kong as well. However China has started to use it's economical power to silence companies around the world.
NBA: "How much of its integrity -- and legacy -- is the National Basketball Association willing to sacrifice for the sake of business? The answer, apparently, is: lots."
NBA's response to China backlash at odds with league's history
Team manager of one of the NBA's teams made a tweet about standing with Hong Kong protesters. This led to quick outrage in China including many businesses cutting ties with the team, but it didn't stay only there- it was announced that broadcast companies in China cut ties with NBA due to tweet of one team manager and won't be showing NBA's preseason games. This despite said team manager deleting the tweet and makign backpedaling apology as wella s NBA and some players stating how much they love China and that this was opinion of one person. Article points out how this goes against NBA's values as it has branded itself as League That Encourages Political Activism.
Blizzard: "Keep China happy, at all costs"
Blizzard failed to make a stand for anything but China and money
Blizzard is in middle of controversy after punishing professional Heartstone player- taking away price money he won as well as banning him from playing on tournaments for a year, because this player from Hong Kong supported Hong Kong in post-game interview. Not only the player got punished, but also two broadcasters who were present in the situation, but did not say anything just were there- Blizzard stated that they aren't working with these broadcasters anymore while not stating anything they did wrong. Blizzard defended it's decision to punish the player stating that in rules there is mention that engaging in any act that offends a portion of a group or public will result in removal from Grandmasters. Of course this was met from backlash and many players of Blizzard games calling for boycot. Also there has been angriness within company as some employees have as sign of protest covered up boards stating company's values.
Many media commentators as politicians in USA have been vocal about happenings with these two companies, going as far as calling them agents of Chinese cencorship in USA.
South Park: "We good now China?"
'We good now China?' South Park creators issue mock apology after ban
In other side of field, South Park has also been met with backlash from China after airing episode "Band in China" in 2th October that criticized China's cencorship. This led South Park being banned not only from Chinese television, but China also cleaning up all the content related to South park from streaming sites and social media. Creators of South Park also issued apology over this, though there apology is bit different:
So I guess it's not any longer just Chinese (and Taiwanese, Hong Kong) idols that are shut up and made to say these disturbing things against democracy and freedom of speech, it has also spread to international companies and their employees. This scare tactic is quite strong, lot of companies have money tied in China and they are willing to go against values of their employees and even their company for that money. It is a scary world we are living when country across the oceans can interfere with your free speech and opinions.
NBA: "How much of its integrity -- and legacy -- is the National Basketball Association willing to sacrifice for the sake of business? The answer, apparently, is: lots."
NBA's response to China backlash at odds with league's history
Team manager of one of the NBA's teams made a tweet about standing with Hong Kong protesters. This led to quick outrage in China including many businesses cutting ties with the team, but it didn't stay only there- it was announced that broadcast companies in China cut ties with NBA due to tweet of one team manager and won't be showing NBA's preseason games. This despite said team manager deleting the tweet and makign backpedaling apology as wella s NBA and some players stating how much they love China and that this was opinion of one person. Article points out how this goes against NBA's values as it has branded itself as League That Encourages Political Activism.
Blizzard: "Keep China happy, at all costs"
Blizzard failed to make a stand for anything but China and money
Blizzard is in middle of controversy after punishing professional Heartstone player- taking away price money he won as well as banning him from playing on tournaments for a year, because this player from Hong Kong supported Hong Kong in post-game interview. Not only the player got punished, but also two broadcasters who were present in the situation, but did not say anything just were there- Blizzard stated that they aren't working with these broadcasters anymore while not stating anything they did wrong. Blizzard defended it's decision to punish the player stating that in rules there is mention that engaging in any act that offends a portion of a group or public will result in removal from Grandmasters. Of course this was met from backlash and many players of Blizzard games calling for boycot. Also there has been angriness within company as some employees have as sign of protest covered up boards stating company's values.
Many media commentators as politicians in USA have been vocal about happenings with these two companies, going as far as calling them agents of Chinese cencorship in USA.
South Park: "We good now China?"
'We good now China?' South Park creators issue mock apology after ban
In other side of field, South Park has also been met with backlash from China after airing episode "Band in China" in 2th October that criticized China's cencorship. This led South Park being banned not only from Chinese television, but China also cleaning up all the content related to South park from streaming sites and social media. Creators of South Park also issued apology over this, though there apology is bit different:
So I guess it's not any longer just Chinese (and Taiwanese, Hong Kong) idols that are shut up and made to say these disturbing things against democracy and freedom of speech, it has also spread to international companies and their employees. This scare tactic is quite strong, lot of companies have money tied in China and they are willing to go against values of their employees and even their company for that money. It is a scary world we are living when country across the oceans can interfere with your free speech and opinions.