Freemuse Defending Artistic Freedom
16 February 2021: China banned the American music platform Bandcamp in China for unknown reasons, reported Vice.
The platform’s ban is allegedly a part of China’s campaign, the ‘Great Firewall’. The blocking system prevents Chinese users from accessing Western media, limits Internet access, and restricts content.
Bandcamp was the only streaming platform accessible in China without a virtual private network (VPN) through which artists directly upload and sell their music to fans abroad. It became popular for Chinese indie bands and Chinese DIY labels.
In the long-term, Bandcamp’s ban can be an obstacle for artists seeking to reach international audiences interested in the Chinese music scene.
https://twitter.com/krishraghav/status/1361868053881917442
This event has been the latest manifestation of an increasingly restrictive digital landscape for Chinese citizens, according to Vice.
