The mainland's internet and broadcasting regulators have issued restrictions on online serials and short films for the first time, in an effort to ensure that all content run on video websites has passed the censors.
In a short statement released on Monday, the State Internet Information Office and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) told internet video service providers they would now be held responsible for all original programming posted on their websites.
It also told the operators of video websites that they must review all content, including serials and short films, before publishing.
Unlike television series or films screened in cinemas, online drama series and short films have existed in an uncensored world, barring the general censorship applied to everything shown online.
A SARFT spokesman told Xinhua that online drama series and short films could help develop a positive internet culture. However, some online programmes featured seriously vulgar, violent or obscene content, and the authorities were responding to an 'outcry from internet users and video websites'.
'Internet users urge the government to protect the physical and mental health of teenage viewers, while online video websites strongly call for a timely restriction to prevent such unhealthy content occupying too much air time,' he said.
The spokesman said online video associations would be encouraged to organise training and tests for censors, but some filmmakers were worried that the standards to be applied and how censors will evaluate productions have not been made clear.