More Content Under Scrutiny: Jail Time for Some? Work Camps for Others?
June 15, 2021
I spotted an interesting article called “Hong Kong to Censor Films Under National Security Law.” The write up appears to make Hong Kong separate from China. That’s not my understanding. Some in Hong Kong may not agree with me. British stiff upper lip, horse racing, and tea – absolutely.
The write up states:
The government said the changes that give the film censor authority to ban films perceived as promoting or glorifying acts or activities that could endanger national security take effect from Friday. The Film Censorship Authority should stay “vigilant to the portrayal, depiction or treatment of any act or activity which may amount to an offence endangering national security”, the government said in a statement. “Any content of a film which is objectively and reasonably capable of being perceived as endorsing, supporting, promoting, such act or activity” will be censored, according to the guideline.
What’s not clear is the scope of the law. Will frisky TikTok creators find themselves and their work reviewed? What happens if a Chinese citizen studying in the US appears in a video which the Chinese government finds a danger to national security?
Observations of course:
- Prudence, the voice on my shoulder, says, “Self censor or risk some time in a state controlled factory. Better yet a few years in a re-education program.” Will those Chinese students listen to my Prudence?
- The context of “national security” is interesting. The law suggests that TikTok and similar creator centric video programs pose sufficient threat to move beyond routine blurring of objectionable items, restricting distribution, or levying a fine. A question arises, “What about TikTok itself?” A threat or a source of information for some governments?
Net net: Some governments emulating the Great Firewall method will observe the downstream impact of this law. If the idea seems like a good one, information control may become more popular in some circles. Jack Ma is unlikely to invest in motion picture and video productions I think.
Stephen E Arnold, June 15, 2021
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