In 2022, Disney cut an episode of The Simpsons from its streaming platform in Hong Kong. This episode mentioned “forced labor camps” in China and the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, which the Chinese government has actively tried to suppress knowledge of.
While Disney claims that this decision had more to do with its ties to mainland China, many people are outraged by what appears to be censorship of an iconic show just to avoid any conflict with a powerful government.
Disney’s Financial Ties To China
Disney is heavily invested in mainland China, having opened multiple theme parks there over the last few years. It’s no wonder that they would want to avoid any conflict with the Chinese government; after all, they have billions of dollars at stake. As Kenny Ng, associate professor at the Academy of Film at Hong Kong Baptist University put it, “I think Disney is trying to maintain good relations with mainland China and not anger Beijing authorities by airing politically sensitive content on its streaming platform.”
The Impact Of Censorship On Creativity
This move from Disney shows how far some companies will go in order to maintain their financial interests. However, it also illustrates how censorship can stifle creativity and limit freedom of expression. After all, if a show as influential as The Simpsons is subject to censorship then what message does that send about other forms of creative expression?
The Value Of Freedom Of Expression
While it may seem like a small thing for a company like Disney to censor one episode of The Simpsons, it speaks volumes about our society’s willingness to sacrifice freedom of expression for financial gain or political expediency. Free speech is essential for a healthy society and it should not be silenced simply because someone finds certain topics uncomfortable or inconvenient. We must remember that freedom of expression is invaluable and should be protected at all costs — even if that means protecting controversial topics or positions that we might personally disagree with or find uncomfortable. That is true freedom and democracy in action!
TL;DR:
Disney's recent decision to censor episodes of The Simpsons on its streaming platform in Hong Kong is troubling for many reasons — not least because it highlights how quickly some companies will sacrifice freedom of expression for financial gain or political expediency.
This incident serves as a reminder that we must continue fighting for our right to free speech no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient certain topics may be — otherwise we risk losing our ability to express ourselves freely and openly without fear of retribution from those in power. Only then can democracy truly thrive!
