For his latest contribution, Badiucao riffs on images of officials and athletes at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing taking selfies to broadcast on social media networks, many of which are blocked in China by the Great Firewall. In his remarks during the Opening Ceremony, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach called on all in attendance to, “get your smart phones out and let’s set a record for selfies!” In Badiucao’s image, arms are reaching out of the Great Firewall to do just that.
Great Firewall Selfie, by Badiucao for CDT:
Propaganda officials issued an order to the media banning coverage that “hypes” security measures taken for the games.
Read also a CDT Q&A with Badiucao in which he discusses his artistic and personal influences. All Badiucao cartoons for CDT are available here. See also exclusive CDT t-shirts with a Badiucao design, for sale on our Zazzle store.