Disney has pulled an episode of “The Simpsons” that included a line about “forced labor camps” in China from its streaming platform in Hong Kong.
The episode – first shown in October last year and titled “One Angry Lisa” – featured a scene in which Marge Simpson takes a virtual exercise bike class with an instructor in front of a virtual backdrop of the Great Wall of China. Instructor Says: “Look at the wonders of China. Bitcoin mines, forced labor camps where kids make smartphones, and romance.
China’s use of forced labor and mass internment camps to control the Muslim Uyghur minority in the Xinjiang region UN assessment It concluded that Beijing’s actions may be crimes against humanity, although China rejects any claims of human rights violations in Xinjiang.
“Simpsons” episodes no longer available on Disney+ platform in Hong Kong financial Times reported on Monday with citing a reference Experts on censorship who claim Disney may have removed the episode out of concern for their business in mainland China.
This is the second time the platform has been accused of self-censorship in Hong Kong. In 2021, it reportedly removed an episode of “The Simpsons” that made reference to Tiananmen Square, the scene of the brutal massacre of pro-democracy protesters in Beijing in 1989.
In response to a request for comment, the Hong Kong government told FT A film censorship system introduced in 2021 that forbids films threatening national security “does not apply to streaming services.” A spokesman for the government would not comment on whether it had asked Disney to remove the episode.
In recent years, Beijing has cracked down on Hong Kong’s independence, leading to mass protests and international criticism.
Disney could not be reached for comment.