Sunday Times 2
Smog documentary blocked by China after becoming viral hit
View(s):BEIJING, March 7 (AFP) -A hard-hitting video investigation into China’s grave air pollution problem has been pulled from mainstream video sites, days after it garnered more than 100 million hits online.
A combination picture shows the landmark skyscraper in Liaoning province (Reuters)
“Under the Dome”, an independent documentary produced by former Chinese state media journalist Chai Jing, was no longer available on popular mainland video sites, including Youku and iQiyi, as of this afternoon.
The 103-minute documentary — hailed by some as China’s “Inconvenient Truth” — remains available on YouTube, which is blocked in China.
Versions of the video racked up more than 155 million views on mainland Chinese video streaming sites in just one day after its release last Saturday.
In the video, Chai, who previously worked as an anchor for state-run China Central Television, detailed causes of atmospheric pollution in the country, including slack government supervision and lenient penalties for polluters.
She has described the video as her “personal battle” against air pollution after her daughter was born with a benign tumour.
The removal of the documentary underscores the ruling Communist Party’s sensitivity to public debate over China’s notorious smog problem.