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China’s most famous comedian under investigation for joke about communist song
Wuhan officials are investigating whether Guo’s improvised lyrics in a 1956 revolutionary classic breached rules for commercial performances.
- Yesterday, The Wuhan Culture and Tourism Bureau confirmed an investigation into comedian Guo Degang after he altered lyrics to a revolutionary song during a Wuhan performance on July 24.
- Featured in the 1950s movie Railroad Guerrillas, the song was one of 100 tracks selected in 2019 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, giving it strong patriotic significance.
- The Wuhan Culture and Tourism Bureau reported the adapted lyrics, where Guo changed the song to say 'all is quiet in the Forbidden City,' were not included in materials submitted for prior approval, violating the Regulations on the Administration of Commercial Performances.
- Following the investigation, performances have been cancelled with ticket holders receiving automatic refunds, a worker from the Chanba Poly Grand Theater said; Guo faces an indefinite ban with no public sightings since July.
- This incident underscores limited artistic expression in China as authorities previously fined comedians 14.7 million yuan and 50,000 yuan for content violations, enforcing ideological alignment with Xi Jinping Thought.
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28 Articles
28 Articles
He got into trouble for changing the lyrics of a song of the revolution, an affront that the communist party cannot allow
·Rome, Italy
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In China, a well-known comedian is being investigated for a repressed song by the Communist Party.
·Germany
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According to media reports, one of China's most famous comedians has to face an investigation. His offense is that he rewrote a song without permission.
·Hamburg, Germany
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources28
Leaning Left8Leaning Right4Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Left, 40% Center
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Left, 40% of the sources are Center
40% Center
L 40%
C 40%
R 20%
Factuality
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