Melody of Resistance: Hong Kong Protest Song Pulled from Airwaves

The battle for freedom of expression and internet freedom in Hong Kong has taken a hit as the distributor of the popular protest song, “Glory to Hong Kong,” has decided to remove it from all platforms due to a court ban. Dgxmusic, the group behind the creation of the song, expressed its disappointment over Emubands’ decision to take down the anthem that became a rallying cry during the massive anti-government protests in 2019. The removal of the song from iTunes and Apple Music in various regions, as well as its unavailability on Spotify in Hong Kong, reflects a concerning trend of censorship in the city.

The recent appeals court ruling granting the government’s request to prohibit the broadcast or distribution of “Glory to Hong Kong” has sparked fears of a further erosion of freedom of expression in Hong Kong. The song, which advocates for the separation of Hong Kong from China, has become a symbol of resistance against the tightening grip of Beijing on the semi-autonomous city. Despite the ban, Dgxmusic remains hopeful that the song will be reinstated soon, emphasizing that the injunction does not explicitly prohibit the song itself.

The crackdown on the protest anthem extends beyond the digital realm, with international incidents adding fuel to the fire. Notably, instances where “Glory to Hong Kong” was mistakenly played instead of China’s national anthem at sporting events have triggered backlash from city officials. The government’s move to take legal action against Google last year for not displaying China’s national anthem as the top search result for Hong Kong’s anthem underscores the authorities’ efforts to suppress dissenting voices.

With YouTube recently blocking access to 32 videos of the song in compliance with the court order, concerns over the curtailment of free speech have escalated. Hong Kong leader John Lee’s pledge to monitor internet platforms for non-compliance further highlights the government’s hardline stance on quelling any form of dissent. The anthem’s significance as a symbol of the 2019 protest movement underscores its power in mobilizing the people and standing up against authoritarian rule.

As Hong Kong grapples with increasing restrictions on freedom of expression, the removal of “Glory to Hong Kong” serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing those who seek to preserve the city’s autonomy and democratic values. The fight for freedom of speech and artistic expression continues amidst mounting pressure from authorities determined to silence voices of dissent.