A video production company based in northwest China's Shaanxi Province was ordered to apologize on Friday over a controversial parody video clip, which the court said has humiliated renowned Chinese revolutionary figure Ye Ting and hurt the feelings of his descendants.
The court also ordered Xi'an Momo Tech Company, which hosts video streaming channel "Baozoumanhua," to pay 100,000 yuan (14,526 U.S. dollars) to Ye's family as compensation.
The court found "Baozoumanhua" to be responsible for the video, in which a famous poem of Ye was altered to ridicule "painless abortions." The video clip, widely circulated on Chinese social media but later taken down, has caused a flurry of complaints and outcry. The court said it "caused a negative impact."
Ye, a revolutionary martyr remembered by the Chinese people as an unyielding hero who refused to succumb to enemies during the civil war, was humiliated and his reputation was tarnished, the court said, citing a law to protect the reputation and honor of martyrs.
After the verdict was announced on Friday, Xi'an Momo released a statement on its website, saying the company is sincerely sorry for the video. "The incident has raised alarm bells for us and we will produce and spread more productions advocating positive messages," it said.
