China's $2M Fines for Jokes: A Warning to Comedians.
TL;DR
China has imposed a fine of approximately $2 million on a comedian's company after he made a joke that was seen by some as mocking the military. The comedian, Li Haoshi, was suspended from his firm and his social media account was suspended after he posted an apology. The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism fined the firm and said Li, his agent, and other relevant staff will face additional investigation following the "seriously insulting" comments that caused "bad social impact." China adopted a law to ban defamation of the military in 2021.
- China imposes $2M fine for stand-up’s joke seen as mocking the military The Hill
- The joke that cost $2 million: China imposes huge fine for comedian’s army-themed quip CNN
- China fines comedy firm £1.68m over standup’s stray dog joke The Guardian
- China fines comedy troupe $2m for joke about the military BBC
- China Punishes Comic's Squirrel Joke With $2M Fine The Daily Beast
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on The Hill