China’s media watchdog, tightening control of content, promotes ‘core socialist values’
A key Chinese regulator has issued a notice demanding broadcasters distribute programmes that promote “core socialist values”, and “forcefully oppose” content that celebrates money worship, hedonism, radical individualism and feudal thought.
The notice, which was issued on Friday by the State Administration of Press, Publication Radio Film and Television, provides further guidance for the creation and broadcast of programme content, particularly for the country’s rapidly growing internet platforms.
“Online programmes should vigorously promote China’s revolutionary culture” advance patriotism , extol the motherland and “praise heroes”, the notice said.
The government over the last year has moved to crack down on illicit content in the country’s fast-growing live-streaming market, which produced revenues of more than 30 billion yuan (US$4.4 billion or HK$34 billion) last year, according to investment bank China Renaissance Securities.
Last July, China’s Culture Ministry announced that it had shut down 4,313 online show rooms, firing or punishing more than 18,000 anchors.
Twelve platforms were punished and ordered to make changes after offering illicit content that “promotes obscenity, violence, abets crime and damages social morality”.
The media administration said in August that it would restrict social and entertainment news that promoted improper values and “Western lifestyles”.
In Friday’s notice, it said that entertainment reports should “advocate morality and talent”, while variety shows, dramas and movies should oppose “wasteful star-chasing, humdrum games and luxurious feasts”.
Online platforms also were told to establish sound internal accountability controls, and strictly address problems as they arise.
Television, radio and internet distributors are forbidden from broadcasting “uncut” programmes that have not been first reviewed by authorities, the notice said.
