Hot topics: China’s crackdown on entertainment industry targeting

overpaid actors, ‘sissy idols’, fan culture and more

A. Context: New guidelines for entertainment

President Xi Jinping ordered a clean-up of the entertainment industry early this

month. China’s broadcast regulator is moving to limit entertainers’ salaries, rein in
fandom culture, and ban film stars with “incorrect” politics.

The crackdown began in June when the Cyberspace Administration of China posted
a statement on its official website. It said that fans had been fighting and spreading
rumours online, which “disrupted the pure and healthy online ecosystem”.

It continued to explain that fan culture had “harmed the mental and physical health
of young people”.

On September 2, television companies and internet platforms were told to “strictly

control the selection of programme actors and guests, by making sure they have a
correct political stance, good conduct, high artistic level and strong social credit,”
according to a statement from the National Radio and Television Administration
(NRTA).

The NRTA also released the following eight-point plan, which calls for “further
regulation of arts and entertainment shows and related personnel”:

1. Radio, television and internet platforms should not employ entertainers and
guests who have incorrect political stances, break laws and regulations, or
speak or behave against public order and morals.
2. They should not have idol selection shows or shows starring the children of
celebrities. Shows should strictly control voting. They cannot encourage fans
to shop or buy membership to vote for their idols.
3. Promote traditional culture, and create a correct beauty standard. Stay away
from gossip, “sissy idols”, large amounts of wealth, and vulgar internet
celebrities.
4. Refuse to pay high salaries to entertainers. Create rules on how shows pay
guests; encourage celebrities to take part in charity shows; and punish under-
the-table contracts and people who try to avoid paying taxes.
5. Create rules for those working in show business. Provide professional and
moral training. Television hosts must have licences, and their social media
activity will be monitored.
6. Encourage professional commentary in the entertainment industry. Insist on
correct political direction and values; avoid spreading rumours and harsh
comments; and promote a kind and positive culture instead.
 7. Entertainment associations should criticise bad examples, provide more
training, and create ways to make sure people in the industry follow the rules.
8. Regulators need to be more accountable by listening to the people and
responding to their concerns. They should fill the public space with positive
shows.

Question prompts:

 Based on Context, explain in your own words why China has called for a clean-
up of its entertainment industry.
 “We should have higher expectations for how idols behave than for how
ordinary people do.” Do you agree with this statement? Explain.

B. News: China bans men it sees as not masculine enough from

television

China’s top media regulator has announced a boycott of what it calls “sissy idols”,
among other guidelines, during an ongoing “clean-up” of the entertainment industry.

Broadcasters must “resolutely put an end to sissy men and other abnormal
aesthetics,” the National Radio and Television Administration said early this month.
It used an insulting slang term for effeminate men – niang pao, translated literally as
“girlie guns”.

This reflects concern that Chinese pop stars – influenced by the sleek, fashionable
look of some South Korean and Japanese singers and actors – are failing to
encourage China’s young men to be masculine enough.

The new guidelines come as authorities have been increasingly critical of the trend
some refer to as “sissy men”. It includes pop idols that wear make-up or who do not
conform to macho male stereotypes prevalent in traditional Chinese culture. Some in
China also see the popularity of such idols – often referred to as “little fresh meat” –
as a threat to traditional social values.

Under the section “boycotting being overly entertaining” of the eight-point plan, the
notice states there needs to be more emphasis on “traditional Chinese culture,
revolution culture, socialist culture”. It also says that a “correct beauty standard”,
including boycotting “sissy idols” and vulgar internet celebrities, will be established.

While the document was hailed by some producers and livestreamers, others found
some of the plan’s phrasing problematic.
“A person’s gender expression has no connection to their talent, character, and
whether or not they are patriotic or contribute to society,” said Ah Qiang, a
Guangzhou-based NGO worker who has been working with sexual minority groups
for many years.

“This is discrimination against those with neutral or a more feminine gender

expression. It’s a conflict between a backwards beauty standard and [individualism]
in modern society.”
Staff writer and Associated Press

Question prompts:

 Using your own knowledge, explain what the Chinese authorities might mean
by macho male stereotypes prevalent in traditional Chinese culture.
 To what extent do you agree with Ah Qiang’s comments in the last two
paragraphs? Explain your answer using Context, News and your own
knowledge.

Glossary

Cyberspace Administration of China: China’s internet regulator and censor body. It is

also involved in forming and implementing policies related to online censorship and
cybersecurity in the country.

Fandom: A highly organised group of fans, who are willing to devote time and money
to increase their idol’s popularity. Within fandoms, administrators organise groups of
fans on different media platforms, such as Tencent and Weibo. These managers
assign different tasks to fans every day to boost the celebrity’s ratings or exposure.
Tasks can include sharing, liking and commenting on social media posts. Some
extremely devoted fans are even known to spam social media, spread fake news to
hijack public opinion, and use bots to increase traffic data related to their idols.

Idol selection show: A form of survival reality television shows. “Trainees” – aspiring
idols – participate in a series of challenges to compete for a chance to debut. Every
week, viewers vote for their favourite contestant. Those who do not receive enough
votes are eliminated. At the end of the competition, the trainees who come out on
top usually form an idol group.

National Radio and Television Administration: An agency under the State Council of
the People’s Republic of China. It is in charge of state-owned companies such as
China Central Television, China National Radio, China Radio International, as well as
other film and television studios.