A Trickle of Outrage

From Reuters: China Kicks Up a Fuss Over Nike Footwear Ad

China has kicked up a stink over a Nike footwear advertisement in which U.S. basketball star LeBron James takes on and subdues a series of traditional Chinese characters ranging from a cartoon kung fu master to a couple of dragons.

Nike Inc. and James have been named the first targets in China's new censorship drive aimed at keeping advertising deemed offensive off the air.

China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television on Monday ordered stations nationwide to stop broadcasts of Nike's "LeBron James in Chamber of Fear" advertisements that it said had sparked anger and claims of offending "national feelings."

In the advertisement, James, 19, a forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers, makes easy work of animated enemies including a white-haired kung fu master, two women in traditional Chinese garb and the pair of dragons as he ascends the video game-like levels of the "Chamber."

"The ad has aroused strong public indignation," said a statement on the state administration's Web site.

It violated rules that stipulated "all ads broadcast on television should protect national dignity and interests and respect the motherland's traditional culture."...

This is not the first time advertisements for foreign products have struck a nationalistic nerve in China.

Last year, many Chinese took offence at a print advertisement campaign that portrayed stone lions -- traditional Chinese symbols of authority -- saluting a Toyota Prado sport utility vehicle.

"Claims of offending 'national feelings'" indeed. Just another bureaucrat meddling in advertising. "Strong public indignation"? How can they be sure, since they don't allow freedom of speech? It's also a little reminiscent of the "flood of outrage" claimed by the FCC.