Chinese TV anchor Bi Fujian off air after criticising Mao

[Ray]

Chinese TV anchor Bi Fujian off air after criticising Mao

A star anchor on Chinese state TV has been taken off air after a video emerged of him criticising Mao Zedong, the founder of modern China.
Bi Fujian was filmed singing a parody song in which he said Chinese people had suffered under Mao's leadership.

CCTV said Mr Bi's comments had had a "serious social impact", but many in China have defended him.

Mao, who led China through the Cultural Revolution and devastating famine, is the subject of much historical debate.

Mr Bi hosts CCTV's annual New Year variety show, the most-watched television programme in the world.

In the video, filmed at a private banquet, he is seen singing a song from a Mao-era opera, Taking Tiger Mountain By Strategy.

But he changes the lyrics to say "we've suffered enough" and calling Chairman Mao "that old son of a bitch", prompting fellow guests to laugh.
Mr Bi has been taken off air for four days, state media report.

Chairman Mao ruled China between 1945 and 1976, building a personality cult around himself and generating mass social upheaval to recreate China.

He initiated the Great Leap Forward - an industrial revolution which resulted in massive famine killing tens of millions of people - and the Cultural Revolution, a crackdown on perceived bourgeois elements which led to mass imprisonments and executions, as well as the widespread destruction of China's cultural history.

'Quite vulgar'

While China officially acknowledges there were faults in Mao and the personality cult which surrounded him - generally he is seen as 70% good and 30% bad - he remains hugely respected, and insulting him and other leaders is a taboo.

His legacy is also growing in popularity among those who feel China has moved too far away from his communist ideals.

Commentators online and in the media were divided over whether Mr Bi should be disciplined. Some argued that he was being punished because he is a public figure and that it was a sign of the lack of free speech in China.

But writer Shen Renping in the Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily said his adaptation of the song was "quite vulgar".

"If what he sang is really what he thinks, then it is understandable that many people are disappointed in him."

One Weibo user, as quoted by AFP news agency, said: "He must be punished, one must not insult the founding leader, that's the bottom line."

CCTV said in a statement it would "seriously handle the matter in line with related regulations and based on careful investigation".

The China Digital Times, which monitors Chinese media from abroad, reported that all websites had been ordered to take down the video and "stop hyping the story".
Chinese TV anchor Bi Fujian off air after criticising Mao - BBC News

Notwithstanding what the Chinese poster say about China being grateful to the Communist Party since they have improved their lives and filled their pockets, the truth is here for all to see.

Privately, they detest the Communist leaders.

That they cannot express their views public is also established by this star anchor's statement.

And the Chinese posters have the gumption to hector that their dictatorship (though they don't call it so; in fact, they dare not because Big Brother is Watching) is way better than any democracy.

 

[s002wjh]

Notwithstanding what the Chinese poster say about China being grateful to the Communist Party since they have improved their lives and filled their pockets, the truth is here for all to see.

Privately, they detest the Communist leaders.

That they cannot express their views public is also established by this star anchor's statement.

And the Chinese posters have the gumption to hector that their dictatorship (though they don't call it so; in fact, they dare not because Big Brother is Watching) is way better than any democracy.

might wanna talk to chinese in other country to see their opinions. alot ppl would agree mao is bad, but still support CCP, its two different issue. Mao is dead, ccp is here, and as long as ccp do a good job on economy, stability, etc ppl will support it.

 

[Ray]

might wanna talk to chinese in other country to see their opinions. alot ppl would agree mao is bad, but still support CCP, its two different issue. Mao is dead, ccp is here, and as long as ccp do a good job on economy, stability, etc ppl will support it.

Yes, Mao is dead and so the Chinese have got brave to criticise him.

They would not have dared to do so when he was alive.

The same psychology works even now for your current leaders.

You are brave only when they die and can't harm you.

Brave people indeed.

 

[Sylex21]

He'll never be heard from again. Never take the freedom and democracy you have for granted. Better to live free and poor than in a golden cage.

 

[amoy]

critisizing Mao is fine and an everyday business. people have already started to vomit over Who (Hu) and When (Wen).

but calling him " son of an old bitch"? LOL in the presence of Belarus diplomats?

so I agree Mr. Bi as an anchor has to find another job immediately.

freedom? remember some American was fired for mocking Michelle Obama looked like a "gorilla".

don't pretend naive!

~Tapa talks: Orange is the new black.~

 

[jouni]

This is what happened when Finnish news anchors heard about the Bi Fujian case

 

[Ray]

critisizing Mao is fine and an everyday business. people have already started to vomit over Who (Hu) and When (Wen).

but calling him " son of an old bitch"? LOL in the presence of Belarus diplomats?

so I agree Mr. Bi as an anchor has to find another job immediately.

freedom? remember some American was fired for mocking Michelle Obama looked like a "gorilla".

don't pretend naive!

~Tapa talks: Orange is the new black.~

Criticising Mao is every day business?

Who are you fooling?

Criticism like Mao was 70% right and 30% wrong and that too being said after Deng said so?

 

[amoy]

Criticising Mao is every day business?

Who are you fooling?

Criticism like Mao was 70% right and 30% wrong and that too being said after Deng said so?

so u can take it as fooling u.

with the socio economic advancement and exposure to varied info, Chinese no longer subscibe to the notion that there're patriarchs or saints who're infallible or cannot be challenged. whatever they've done is subject to scrutiny of time. so be it for Mao, Zhou, Deng and so on.

nowadays people tend to be better educated and more open minded. meanwhile there is certainly a thin line btwn "criticism" and faux pas for a tv anchor.



~Tapa talks: Orange is the new black.~

 

[Zebra]

WATCH: CCTV host filmed cursing Chairman Mao at private dinner: Shanghaiist

 

[Ray]

so u can take it as fooling u.

with the socio economic advancement and exposure to varied info, Chinese no longer subscibe to the notion that there're patriarchs or saints who're infallible or cannot be challenged. whatever they've done is subject to scrutiny of time. so be it for Mao, Zhou, Deng and so on.

nowadays people tend to be better educated and more open minded. meanwhile there is certainly a thin line btwn "criticism" and faux pas for a tv anchor.



~Tapa talks: Orange is the new black.~

I will give you a Chinese answer.

You are 30%right and 70% wrong.

I have reversed the figure since I don't want it to appear that I am criticising Mao lest in China I am put in a Laogai.

 

[no smoking]

Notwithstanding what the Chinese poster say about China being grateful to the Communist Party since they have improved their lives and filled their pockets, the truth is here for all to see.

Privately, they detest the Communist leaders.

Wrong, lots detest the communist leaders while a lot more defend the communist leaders. Even in a family, you will see deferent stance.

That they cannot express their views public is also established by this star anchor's statement.

Well, frankly, he was not criticizing, he was insulting with dirty language. That is where he crossed the line.

And the Chinese posters have the gumption to hector that their dictatorship (though they don't call it so; in fact, they dare not because Big Brother is Watching) is way better than any democracy.

No, Chinese posters here didn't say "any" democracy, instead we pointed to the "democracy in India".

 

[Ray]

Wrong, lots detest the communist leaders while a lot more defend the communist leaders. Even in a family, you will see deferent stance.

That is news well hidden by the family, right?

Have you seen the dissenters who have been locked in Laogai for dissenting?

Heard of Liao Yiwu, Bao Tong, Tang Baiqiao, Zhao Lianhai, Bao Zunxin, Chen Pokong, Cai Lujun, Gao Zhisheng, Guo Quan, He Depu, Hu Jia, Huang Qi, Ai Weiwei and so many others?

They are in Laogai, why? The love prison food or are they dissenters?

So, give others your bedtime stories

Well, frankly, he was not criticizing, he was insulting with dirty language. That is where he crossed the line.

If he was insulting, then hardly a ground to throw him out as a starter.

No, Chinese posters here didn't say "any" democracy, instead we pointed to the "democracy in India".

Of course, you mock democracy.

And our democracy is far superior a way to live than the prison called China.

 

[Compersion]

it is rise of modern technology capturing video images and voice protocols by individuals ... a video done on a cell phone and broadcast a simple sentence can make such a reaction with emotional quotients levels sparking rapidly that it is not funny. it is political commentary weaponised by a simple purpose.

that is the main story and reason behind such sensitivity ... not really about what he said though sure it was vulgar. mao can be debated in a calm way and people will admit he had his faults. like mentioned above a lot of people detest communist leaders and have stances that are varied to what is impress upon by the government officially. but they wont dare to write it openly who they specifically detest but speaking about it in private and being recorded ... ouch !! that hurts ... he was taken down and the clip was tested in the market place to see how it performs (business sense of the leaders). market research perhaps ...

 

[amoy]

well in this clip @Compersion more details additional to the "old bitch" part ~

Bi made a parody of a conversation btwn a PLA and a bandit in a piece of Peking opera neo-classical.

those also present was first reported as an American diplomat and a Ukrainian one. corrected as two Belarussians lately.



~Tapa talks: Orange is the new black.~

 

[Compersion]

@amoy :thumb:

be more specific

does the guy still have a job whats the latest ...

 

[tarunraju]

If an Indian news anchor used abusive language against Gandhi off-the-record, and somebody filmed it, he would lose his job.

 

[amoy]

@amoy :thumb:

be more specific

does the guy still have a job whats the latest ...

no doubt his entertainment career looks grounded for now. the Ukrainian embassy even made an statement via weibo clarifying no Ukrainian involvement and rebunking "attempts to undermine Sino Ukr. friendship"

I think one of problems for Bi is that the wind has changed direction. Chinese used to enjoy being critical of Mao or PLA or CCP for venting their frustration more harshly than Indians did to Nehru. but as time goes by many also get nostalgic like ~"the old men have got some things right".

also Xi seems to steer "left" with more "socialism" flavour. it swings like a pendulum.

~Tapa talks: Orange is the new black.~

 

[sometimes_naive]

I want to ask you a question--what means the Laogai?

 

[sometimes_naive]

That is news well hidden by the family, right?

Have you seen the dissenters who have been locked in Laogai for dissenting?

Heard of Liao Yiwu, Bao Tong, Tang Baiqiao, Zhao Lianhai, Bao Zunxin, Chen Pokong, Cai Lujun, Gao Zhisheng, Guo Quan, He Depu, Hu Jia, Huang Qi, Ai Weiwei and so many others?

They are in Laogai, why? The love prison food or are they dissenters?

So, give others your bedtime stories





If he was insulting, then hardly a ground to throw him out as a starter.




Of course, you mock democracy.

And our democracy is far superior a way to live than the prison called China.

Now,Most of Chinese with enough education dislike the CCP and desire the democarcy,but they admire the democratic coutry ilke the USA and the Japan,the uk.But the still mock the democratic india.They desire the democarcy and at the same time regard the india as a joke.It is not at all contradictory.

 

[Ray]

Now,Most of Chinese with enough education dislike the CCP and desire the democarcy,but they admire the democratic coutry ilke the USA and the Japan,the uk.But the still mock the democratic india.They desire the democarcy and at the same time regard the india as a joke.It is not at all contradictory.

I am sure they do mock India.

Indeed, you mock someone you are worried about and India is moving fast to make the change that worries China.