Cathay Pacific has apologized and removed a controversial episode of Family Guy from its inflight entertainment system after a social media user raised concerns that it could violate Hong Kong’s national security laws.
The episode featured a brief scene showing the main character, Peter Griffin, standing next to a protester in front of a line of tanks, a direct reference to the infamous “Tank Man” image from the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
The crackdown, which saw Chinese military forces violently suppress student protests, remains one of the most heavily censored topics in China.
“We emphasize that the program’s content does not represent Cathay Pacific’s standpoint and have immediately arranged to have the program removed as soon as possible,” the airline said in a statement to the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
The US animated series, known for its edgy and satirical humor, has drawn controversy in the past for pushing boundaries.
This latest incident highlights the heightened sensitivity surrounding political content in Hong Kong, particularly after the introduction of sweeping national security legislation in 2020.
Cathay Pacific told SCMP that it had instructed its third-party entertainment provider to “thoroughly investigate and strengthen oversight” of its content.
The 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, in which thousands of protesters were killed, has long been a focal point for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.
For decades, the city hosted large candlelight vigils in memory of the victims, drawing crowds of hundreds of thousands.
However, following the 2019 pro-democracy protests, authorities imposed a crackdown on dissent, banning public Tiananmen commemorations and prosecuting those who attempted to organize or attend them.
While some officials have claimed that private observances are still allowed, any public reference to the massacre is now considered politically sensitive and potentially criminal.
Cathay Pacific’s removal of the episode follows increased scrutiny of media and cultural content in Hong Kong under the national security law, reflecting the heightened sensitivity surrounding depictions of politically charged events.
