Rage Comic case looks at defending heroes' image

The producer of online cartoon series Rage Comic, which shot a video poking fun at Chinese martyrs by rewriting a famous poem, is accused of defaming heroes.

Cartoon producer Xi'an Momo Information Technology Co Ltd released a short video in May, which rearranged a poem, written by respected Communist general Ye Ting while imprisoned by the Kuomingtang, to adopt lines about "painless abortion".

The general's grandson Ye Daying sued Rage Comic in late May, saying he was defending not just Ye Ting, but all the martyrs and their successors.

At the Yanta district court in Xi'an, Ye asked the company to stop violating the rights of the heroes, to apologize in the national media and provide financial compensation, the plaintiff's lawyers told youth.cn.

Prior to the court hearing, the company voluntarily removed the material on many social platforms following a public outcry.

The defendant's lawyer, Li Xuesong, said there had been no malicious intention in making the video. The plantiff's legal team, in a statement, said they would await the judgment of the court.

The Rage Comic video is not the only case that has triggered public controversy.

In January, a video was filmed of hotel employees singing a song, substituting humorous material for the original lyrics of the Yellow River Cantata, which depicts the heroic spirit of the Chinese people during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

Xian Nina, daughter of the composer Xian Xinghai, said she was very angry.

"Every time we sing this song, we should remember the thousands of martyrs who sacrificed their lives to give us the happy and stable life we have today," she told kanfanews.com.

Cheng Wensheng, assistant professor of the Communication University of China, said such events showed that some young people lacked basic knowledge about history and respect for heroes.

Cheng said, to avoid such a phenomenon, laws should be introduced to punish behavior that smeared their images, and mainstream and positive news reports should be enhanced, as well as patriotic and historical education.

According to the nation's Law of Protection of Heroes and Martyrs, approved on May 1, activities that defame heroes and martyrs or distort and diminish their deeds will be banned. TV, the radio, videos, films, publishers and the internet must not violate their right to a good name, image, reputation and honor.

The law allows family members of heroes and martyrs to file lawsuits, and entrusts prosecutors to file public interest litigation cases.

(China Daily 06/21/2018 page17)