Beijing tightens its grip on live streaming industry
Online performance sites face stricter registration rules as part of clampdown on a fast-growing sector
Beijing has tightened its grip over the live streaming industry by ordering stricter registration of the sector’s websites.
The Ministry of Culture issued a document on Tuesday ordering that all online live-performance operators apply for a permit from the relevant provincial cultural affairs authority, with performers to register their real names and identity documents.
Those operators that were not capable of censoring their own content could not open a live performance channel, the statement said.
Overseas performers, including those from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, were to apply for approval with the cultural ministry before opening a live channel.
The Cyberspace Administration earlier said about 300 entities were running live streaming content, and that some were “trying to catch eyeballs with vulgar content and engaging in news broadcasting without approval”.