Hong Kong: books by pro-democracy activists disappear from library shelves (theguardian.com)

Article summary

Books written by prominent Hong Kong democracy activists have disappeared from the city's libraries, following the imposition of a new national security law by Beijing. The law targets acts of subversion, secession, terrorism, and colluding with foreign forces, and has raised concerns about academic freedom and censorship. The removal of the books is seen as a form of political persecution, with some authors believing it is a result of the new security law. The city's cultural services department has stated that the books are being reviewed to determine if they violate the national security law.

Main themes

• censorship
• academic freedom
• corporate responsibility
• democratic values
• national security law
• political persecution

What commenters say

• The removal of books from libraries is a form of censorship that can lead to further suppression of free speech and political persecution.
• The actions of corporations in complying with authoritarian regimes are driven by profit motives rather than a commitment to democratic values.
• Expecting moral and ethical behavior from large corporations is unrealistic, but it is still important to hold them to high standards.
• The influence of Western companies on repressive regimes can be complex, with some arguing that engagement can lead to positive change, while others see it as complicity.
• The role of technology companies in shaping public discourse and promoting democratic values is a subject of debate, with some arguing that they have a responsibility to act as moral leaders.
• The comparison between censorship in schools and libraries is seen as apples and oranges, with some arguing that censorship in schools has a more profound impact on shaping societal values.
• The impact of the national security law on Hong Kong's academic freedom and campus culture is a concern, with some seeing it as an attempt to impose patriotic education.
• The question of whether corporations have moral agency and responsibility is a subject of disagreement, with some arguing that they do, while others see them as solely driven by profit motives.