“Apple Music has removed a song by Hong Kong singer Jacky Cheung from its Chinese streaming service, with some questioning if the move was related to politically sensitive lyrics,” Holmes Chan reports for Hong Kong Free Press. “The song, the title of which translates to ‘The Path of Man,’ was the theme music of the 1990 film A Chinese Ghost Story II. According to the late James Wong, who penned the lyrics, parts of the song were directly referring to the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.”
“The move has fueled speculation that the Chinese government was ramping up efforts to censor mentions of the June 4th incident, as this year would mark the 30th anniversary of the massacre,” Chan reports. “The crackdown ended months of student-led demonstrations in China. It is estimated that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people died when the People’s Liberation Army was deployed against protesters in Beijing.”
“Last week, netizens also discovered that the songs of Hong Kong singer Anthony Wong were taken down from Apple Music’s China service. All songs from his band Tat Ming Pair were removed, except for one titled ‘Do you still love me?’ The songs of Hong Kong pro-democracy singer Denise Ho were similarly delisted, with the singer’s name not showing up in searches at all,” Chan reports. “Both Wong and Ho had been supportive of pro-democracy protesters during the 2014 Umbrella Movement.”
• It’s about finding your values, and committing to them. It’s about finding your North Star. It’s about making choices. Some are easy. Some are hard. And some will make you question everything. — Tim Cook
• You don’t have to choose between doing good and doing well. It’s a false choice, today more than ever. — Tim Cook
• You want to be the pebble in the pond that creates the ripple for change. — Tim Cook
• There are times in all of our lives when a reliance on gut or intuition just seems more appropriate — when a particular course of action just feels right. And interestingly I’ve discovered it’s in facing life’s most important decisions that intuition seems the most indispensable to getting it right. — Tim Cook
• For us, the most important thing we can do is raise people up – that is, either by giving the ability to do things they could not otherwise do, allow them to create things they couldn’t otherwise create. It’s about giving them tools; it is about empowering people. — Tim Cook
• I don’t view Apple or myself as an activist. What we do is for some things where we think we have deep knowledge, or think we do, or a strong point of view, we’re not shy. We’ll stand up, speak out – even when our voice shakes. — Tim Cook
• The most important thing is, Do you have the courage to admit that you’re wrong? And do you change? The most important thing to me as a CEO is that we keep the courage. — Tim Cook
To repeat a frequent MDN comment: Apple complies with the laws of each country where it does business. In countries with a constitutional guarantee of free speech, it does not let the government dictate content because that would be improper and illegal. In countries with state censorship, it either complies with local law or It stops doing business in that country. There is no third choice.
“To repeat a frequent MDN comment: Apple complies with the laws of each country where it does business.”
Yes, but in China those laws are CENSORSHIP. Hello?
Apple complies because of the almighty dollar, cheap labor monolithic factories and as a result MUZZLES the SJW in the Communist country. Simply put, don’t rock the money boat.
With China blocked out of HYPOCRITE COOK’s unequal justice mind he is focused and free to play the sanctimonious SJW Warrior in all the other free countries, particularly the USA.
Gee, let me think. What is the greater disappointment. Hypocrite grande SJW or neglectful CEO of the flagship Mac Pro that built Apple.
Too easy. Liberals middle name is hypocrisy, nothing new. I’ll go with Door #2…
While sanctimonious and hypocritical is true, all talk/no action is clearly an elliptical overstatement. And reconciling with a need to obey local laws is perhaps irreconcilable. Solution is for Cook to stop Social Justice Warrioring and instead be like Jobs in refusing to be political on company time, in this case and all other cases too.
So, it’s not hypocritical to argue that Tim Cook should be fired as a “SJW” for speaking out on issues with a political dimension that affect the company in the United States, AND should also be fired for not speaking out on political issues in other countries?
America is a constitutional republic that expects its citizens to debate public policy because free elections ultimately determine the course of the government and society. China doesn’t work that way; direct confrontation with the government can get people killed. The two situations require different approaches, which is by all accounts what Apple is doing.
“AND should also be fired for not speaking out on political issues in other countries?”
Like in China, right? LOL! Fairness is not part of your doctrine.
Cook should be fired for many reasons. This is just one of them…
“Solution is for Cook to stop Social Justice Warrioring and instead be like Jobs in refusing to be political on company time, in this case and all other cases too.”
Apple and Tim, all I ask is, have a backbone. You can’t criticize our government and polices here and sell us on curation to ensure honesty and transparency are equally available via your News app, and then bend-over for pimp daddy China all for the sake of money…..I guess the Bible was right, and money is the root of all evil.
Yes, Apple CAN criticize the government here, because this isn’t a dictatorship. If you find that objectionable, or can’t understand that China IS a dictatorship, sorry.
Which is why Hong Kong NEEDS to be an independent city-state sooner, rather than later. The 1997 transfer was a mistake, and a unique, free city is going to lose what makes it one of Asia’s greatest cities.
How exactly is replacing Cook as CEO going to solve the problem that Apple does business not only in the United States but in over a hundred other countries as well, each of which has different political, social, and economic requirements? There was a time when most Americans appreciated that they are more free to comment on public policy issues than is legally possible in places like Russia and China.
Now we seem to have an entire American political party (the one I supported for nearly sixty years) dedicated to the elimination of constitutional checks and balances in favor of a Strong Man who can rule by executive order—even when the order contradicts a legislative statute or judicial precedent—and who has assumed the power to make executive appointments without the advice or consent of the Senate.
My impression is that Tim Cook still believes in the power of the American people to influence the course of their own government, but isn’t delusional enough to think that China is going to alter its repressive internal security policies in response to anything he or Apple might say or do. Realism isn’t hypocrisy.
“How exactly is replacing Cook as CEO going to solve the problem that Apple does business not only in the United States but in over a hundred other countries as well, each of which has different political, social, and economic requirements?”
Apple has a problem doing business “in over a hundred other countries.” What exactly is the problem? Guess I missed it.
No, the topic is not deflection, it is censorship in China and Cook says nothing, does nothing, and you are fine with his HYPOCRISY in pursuit of profit, got it USER. It’s not what you say, it’s what you did not say. You should REMEMBER that.
“Now we seem to have an entire American political party (the one I supported for nearly sixty years).”
Oh, puhleeze! Next to your epic número uno LIE proclaiming you are a “straight white male conservative.”
Now this “sixty years” b🐂s💩 party support ranks a close second. Your biggest supporters here are ultra far left extremists KingMe and Gotcha who threw you a bone. I do not count ONE USER supporter with a conservative voice because we all know you are a FRAUD. 99% of your tedious rants are against Republicans. 99% of your tedious support are in favor of Democrats and SJW Cook.
“and who has assumed the power to make executive appointments without the advice or consent of the Senate.”
When did that happen? Please provide specific examples of the Trump Team approved appointees without advice and consent.
“My impression is that Tim Cook still believes in the power of the American people to influence the course of their own government…”
Yes, logically follows my impression is everyone should be a vocal supporter of President Trump for the SAME REASON. Obviously, since you are dishonest about your political roots that is not going to happen.
“Realism isn’t hypocrisy.”
The ONLY “realism” is Cook is a HYPOCRITE. I do agree anything he says will not change Chinese government. Does not matter, no excuses, simply state where you stand and be VOCAL speaking out against free speech.
Sanctimonious Apple CEO Tim Cook is all talk, no action, and clearly a hypocrite.
To repeat a frequent MDN comment: Apple complies with the laws of each country where it does business. In countries with a constitutional guarantee of free speech, it does not let the government dictate content because that would be improper and illegal. In countries with state censorship, it either complies with local law or It stops doing business in that country. There is no third choice.
“To repeat a frequent MDN comment: Apple complies with the laws of each country where it does business.”
Yes, but in China those laws are CENSORSHIP. Hello?
Apple complies because of the almighty dollar, cheap labor monolithic factories and as a result MUZZLES the SJW in the Communist country. Simply put, don’t rock the money boat.
With China blocked out of HYPOCRITE COOK’s unequal justice mind he is focused and free to play the sanctimonious SJW Warrior in all the other free countries, particularly the USA.
Gee, let me think. What is the greater disappointment. Hypocrite grande SJW or neglectful CEO of the flagship Mac Pro that built Apple.
Too easy. Liberals middle name is hypocrisy, nothing new. I’ll go with Door #2…
I agree with you completely, but Apple censors here too!
While sanctimonious and hypocritical is true, all talk/no action is clearly an elliptical overstatement. And reconciling with a need to obey local laws is perhaps irreconcilable. Solution is for Cook to stop Social Justice Warrioring and instead be like Jobs in refusing to be political on company time, in this case and all other cases too.
So, it’s not hypocritical to argue that Tim Cook should be fired as a “SJW” for speaking out on issues with a political dimension that affect the company in the United States, AND should also be fired for not speaking out on political issues in other countries?
America is a constitutional republic that expects its citizens to debate public policy because free elections ultimately determine the course of the government and society. China doesn’t work that way; direct confrontation with the government can get people killed. The two situations require different approaches, which is by all accounts what Apple is doing.
“AND should also be fired for not speaking out on political issues in other countries?”
Like in China, right? LOL! Fairness is not part of your doctrine.
Cook should be fired for many reasons. This is just one of them…
“Solution is for Cook to stop Social Justice Warrioring and instead be like Jobs in refusing to be political on company time, in this case and all other cases too.”
Amen. Nuff said…
And hypocrite Cook wants us to trust Apple News curation?
Um, no.
Apple and Tim, all I ask is, have a backbone. You can’t criticize our government and polices here and sell us on curation to ensure honesty and transparency are equally available via your News app, and then bend-over for pimp daddy China all for the sake of money…..I guess the Bible was right, and money is the root of all evil.
Yes, Apple CAN criticize the government here, because this isn’t a dictatorship. If you find that objectionable, or can’t understand that China IS a dictatorship, sorry.
“Yes, Apple CAN criticize the government here, because this isn’t a dictatorship.“
But not in China, right? Dictatorships are then exempt in your book when the almighty dollar is threatened and you support HYPOCITE Cook. Got it…
Which is why Hong Kong NEEDS to be an independent city-state sooner, rather than later. The 1997 transfer was a mistake, and a unique, free city is going to lose what makes it one of Asia’s greatest cities.
MacDailyNews’ choice of those seven Tim Cook quotes couldn’t be more devastating or more perfect.
How exactly is replacing Cook as CEO going to solve the problem that Apple does business not only in the United States but in over a hundred other countries as well, each of which has different political, social, and economic requirements? There was a time when most Americans appreciated that they are more free to comment on public policy issues than is legally possible in places like Russia and China.
Now we seem to have an entire American political party (the one I supported for nearly sixty years) dedicated to the elimination of constitutional checks and balances in favor of a Strong Man who can rule by executive order—even when the order contradicts a legislative statute or judicial precedent—and who has assumed the power to make executive appointments without the advice or consent of the Senate.
My impression is that Tim Cook still believes in the power of the American people to influence the course of their own government, but isn’t delusional enough to think that China is going to alter its repressive internal security policies in response to anything he or Apple might say or do. Realism isn’t hypocrisy.
Tx…you can lead a fool to the font of wisdom, but…..
“How exactly is replacing Cook as CEO going to solve the problem that Apple does business not only in the United States but in over a hundred other countries as well, each of which has different political, social, and economic requirements?”
Apple has a problem doing business “in over a hundred other countries.” What exactly is the problem? Guess I missed it.
No, the topic is not deflection, it is censorship in China and Cook says nothing, does nothing, and you are fine with his HYPOCRISY in pursuit of profit, got it USER. It’s not what you say, it’s what you did not say. You should REMEMBER that.
“Now we seem to have an entire American political party (the one I supported for nearly sixty years).”
Oh, puhleeze! Next to your epic número uno LIE proclaiming you are a “straight white male conservative.”
Now this “sixty years” b🐂s💩 party support ranks a close second. Your biggest supporters here are ultra far left extremists KingMe and Gotcha who threw you a bone. I do not count ONE USER supporter with a conservative voice because we all know you are a FRAUD. 99% of your tedious rants are against Republicans. 99% of your tedious support are in favor of Democrats and SJW Cook.
“and who has assumed the power to make executive appointments without the advice or consent of the Senate.”
When did that happen? Please provide specific examples of the Trump Team approved appointees without advice and consent.
“My impression is that Tim Cook still believes in the power of the American people to influence the course of their own government…”
Yes, logically follows my impression is everyone should be a vocal supporter of President Trump for the SAME REASON. Obviously, since you are dishonest about your political roots that is not going to happen.
“Realism isn’t hypocrisy.”
The ONLY “realism” is Cook is a HYPOCRITE. I do agree anything he says will not change Chinese government. Does not matter, no excuses, simply state where you stand and be VOCAL speaking out against free speech.
Up until now, Cook HYPOCRISY crickets : : : …