Beijing‘s ‘Bjork Policy’ Takes Aim at Musicians

By Ian Ritz Epoch Times Staff Jul 25, 2008 Bjork's call for Tibetan freedom at a Shanghai concert in March unnerved communist officials. (Hannah Johnston/ Getty Images) The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is tightening its grip on artistic freedoms by banning all music performers who could possibly “threaten national sovereignty” according to a post on the CCP’s Ministry of Culture’s Web site. The move appears to be in response to a Shanghai performance last March by the eclectic pop star Bjork, where she gained crowd participation in her repeated chanting of “Tibet!” after singing her song Declare Independence. The Icelandic singer/songwriter is known for her distinctive vocal style and unique stage presence. Though sometimes an unconventional fashionista (she attended the Oscars in a gown that looked like a swan), she has... [read full story]