Criticisms by netizens have forced a charitable organization to shut down its micro blog on Sunday, Nov. 29, over a posting that ridiculed a woman for breastfeeding on a Beijing subway, China Daily reported.
The post, which was reposted on Nov. 27 on Beijing Tale's micro blog from another user's micro blog, included a photo of a woman breastfeeding her baby on a subway, with some disrespectful comments.
Founded in 2012, Beijing Tale is an organization involved in environmental protection, including subway cleanup as well as elder care work. It also helps families that have lost an only child.
According to the report, Beijing Tale reposted a photo of a woman breastfeeding her baby on a subway from the original micro-blogger, who used the online name Han JiaXiaoGuaiXue, and commented, "Please do not show private parts in public, out of courtesy"; "Girl, is this appropriate on the subway?"; and "May I remind you it is a Beijing subway, not a bus from your village."
After the posting, many netizens reacted and criticized Beijing Tale as well as the original micro-blogger for the post. Most netizens supported the mother while a few commented that the mother should cover her breast during breastfeeding.
The debate escalated over the weekend until Beijing Tale deleted the post and released an apology on its micro blog on Sunday, Nov. 29. The organization said that it was sorry for triggering the outcry, adding that it had not foreseen the effect it would have.
The micro-blog was shut down later on Sunday, while Beijing Tale's website was also unavailable.
The report said that the original micro-blogger had also deleted the post. However, on Monday afternoon, Nov. 30, a micro-blogger with a different account and username made an apology to the mother for taking the photograph, which prompted speculation that she was the original micro-blogger.
TengFei, the founder of Beijing Tale and the original micro-blogger, could not be reached for comment.
A report by Beijing's Mirror Evening News quoted Teng as saying that he would temporarily suspend the work of the organization. He said he was a new father and a supporter of breastfeeding.
Responding to the Beijing subway incident, UNICEF said on its micro-blog: "Breast milk is the most natural and perfect food for babies, which is irreplaceable."