As part of a wider strike on “immoral” pop culture, which Beijing fears is leading young people astray, China has banned all reality talent shows on Thursday and instructed broadcasters to promote more macho depictions of men.
Popularity has skyrocketed in China for talent shows that put hundreds of aspiring young contestants through challenging boot camps and subject them to public voting. However, the shows have been criticized as citizens have become obsessed and the show adding no moral values.
Chinese broadcast regulator, the National Radio and Television Administration issued a series of strict new rules, including: “Broadcast and TV institutions must not screen idol development programs, variety shows, or reality shows.”
According to the commission, broadcasters must avoid “abnormal aesthetics” such as guys who are “sissy,” “vulgar influencers,” and “lapsed morals.”
Amid declining birth rates, Chinese officials are trying to promote traditional masculine values in the country’s youth by increasing gym lessons and criticizing male entertainers who mimic the feminine looks of Korean pop singers.
As a result, broadcasters were ordered to “actively promote excellent traditional Chinese culture… and modern communist culture
After fans complained about his “sissy” videos, famous Chinese blogger Feng Xiaoyi had his account suspended by Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, last week for “promoting harmful values.”
It was announced last week that the video streaming portal iQiyi would cancel all upcoming idol talent shows.
Many of the nation’s top celebrities have been entangled in a series of scandals in recent months, prompting authorities to launch a wide-ranging crackdown on questionable financial methods and “immoral” conduct
While Zheng Shuang, a Chinese-Canadian music star and former idol, was recently penalized $46 million for tax evasion and former idol Kris Wu has been arrested for alleged rape.
To counteract the “chaotic” fandoms in China, policymakers have pledged to curtail the behavior which they described as irrational celebrity love.
A tremendously popular idol talent show called “Youth With You 3” was quickly pulled from the airwaves by Beijing TV regulators in May when fans started to buy and dispose of large amounts of yogurt to vote for their favorite contestants.
However, the new regulations prohibit the practice of urging viewers to acquire sponsored products to cast a ballot in.
