China imposes $2 million fine on comedy troupe for military joke
TL;DR
A Chinese stand-up comedian, Li Haoshi, has cost his entertainment firm more than $2 million in fines after using a phrase associated with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) during his comedy show in Beijing. The comedian's joke was deemed to have "seriously insulted" the military and "caused bad social impact." The incident highlights the delicate line comedians must tread in highly censored China, where politics is rarely a laughing matter, and the stark consequences for those in the entertainment industry who are deemed to step out of line.
- The joke that cost $2 million: China imposes huge fine for comedian’s army-themed quip CNN
- A costly joke: China slaps comedy firm with $2 million fine for military gag NBC News
- China fines comedy troupe $2m for joke about the military BBC
- No Laughing Matter: Why a comedy firm is paying millions for an army joke in China Firstpost
- China Fines Comedy Company $2 Million For ‘Insulting’ the Military The New York Times
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