Members of a special House committee sent a letter to Apple asking if the decision would end The problem with Jon Stewart This was due to concerns about the company’s relations with China.
Last month, it was announced that the Apple+ program was coming to an end, and The New York Times reported that Stewart told his employees that the company had concerns about some of the program’s topics, including China. According to the Times and other reports, Stewart wanted creative control over the series.
In a letter to CEO Tim Cook, members of the House Special Committee on Competition with the Chinese Communist Party wrote: “If true, these reports could raise broader concerns about the indirect influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP ).” ) on the creative expression of American artists and businesses on CCP-related topics. It also highlights another reason, beyond the traditionally cited national security reasons, why we encourage Apple to accelerate its efforts to reduce its dependence on the People’s Republic of China for its core businesses.”
Read the committee’s letter to Apple-Jon Stewart.
The letter was signed by the committee chairman, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and top Democrat, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL).
The lawmakers wrote: “If Jon Stewart can potentially be barred from speaking out about the CCP, what does that mean for less prominent figures?” While there is a chance that a prominent person like Jon Stewart could find another streaming service where he could express his opinion on matters related to the People’s Republic of China, an aspiring comedian who wants to use satire to make broader arguments discussing human rights and authoritarianism may even face a bleak outlook. We respectfully believe that this needs to change and that responsible creative professionals should be able to write and speak freely about issues related to the PRC.”
The committee also wrote: “To reassure the creative community in light of these reports, we also respectfully ask Apple to publicly state that content that could be considered critical of the CCP or the People’s Republic of China will not be allowed on Apple TV+ and other Apple platforms. Devices are welcome.” Services.”
The committee is asking the company for a briefing by December 15 and also plans to speak with Stewart representatives.
An Apple spokeswoman and a representative for Stewart did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The committee took a closer look at China’s influence on corporate America, including its impact on Hollywood. Gallagher, Krishnamoorthi and other members signed with Walt Disney Co. last spring. CEO Bob Iger convened and led a panel of filmmakers and producers about their experiences with the Chinese government and its censorship. The committee also plans to hold a round table to discuss issues related to entertainment and sports.
In an interview with Deadline, Gallagher said one of the problems the committee sees is “self-censorship on the front lines.”
“What decisions do they already make when they decide to start a project, knowing that they don’t want to offend China? Ask yourself: When was the last time a movie featured a Chinese villain? I can’t think of anything. Maybe this is proof that self-censorship exists.”
In the letter, Gallagher and Krishnamoorthi wrote: “While we are aware of the difficult situation companies may find themselves in, we reject possible decisions not to renew the shows or not to produce a film or show at all due to the expected CCP ‘s objections to certain content: American viewers and global audiences will have access to important information about the People’s Republic of China that reflects a broader diversity of perspectives.”
Source: Deadline
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
