Key facts
- China's broadcasting regulator has proposed the country's first industry-wide rules for micro-dramas.
- The new regulations introduce a three-tier management system.
- Content promoting money worship, wealth flaunting, and distorted social values will be banned.
- A two-month campaign has been launched to enforce regulations in the micro-drama industry.
- Streaming platforms and production companies are required to conduct self-inspections.
- Previous crackdowns have resulted in the removal of thousands of micro dramas for harmful content.
China's National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) has introduced the country's first comprehensive regulations for the booming micro-drama industry, establishing a three-tier management system and prohibiting content that glorifies wealth, money worship, or presents distorted social values. This move comes alongside a two-month enforcement campaign aimed at rooting out harmful and vulgar content, including soft pornography, violence, and copyright infringement.
The NRTA has instructed provincial broadcasting authorities to increase oversight through inspections and random checks, while streaming platforms and production companies must conduct self-inspections. These periodic crackdowns reflect regulators' responses to the rapid growth of the sector, which has previously led to the removal of thousands of micro dramas and episodes for objectionable content.
Previous regulatory actions include requiring micro dramas to obtain a distribution license before airing and addressing specific genres like 'CEO romance' stories that were criticized for flaunting wealth and power. The NRTA also has a plan to cultivate 1,000 'excellent' micro dramas by the end of the year, emphasizing socialist core values.