China Targets Celebrities, Fan Groups Online in New Clean Up Campaign

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on Tuesday launched a month-long “clean cyberspace” marketing campaign, which it mentioned would goal on-line abuse, “chaos” in celeb fan teams and “money worship”, amongst different points.

CAC made the announcement on its official WeChat account on Tuesday, saying that it could intently have a look at content material platforms and commercials as a part of the marketing campaign over the Spring Festival interval.

The intention is to “rectify the disorder on the Internet, curb the spread of unhealthy culture”, “to create a healthy, festive and harmonious online environment for Internet users, especially minors during the Spring Festival,” the CAC mentioned within the assertion

China first launched a crackdown on its booming leisure trade in summer season final 12 months, concentrating on celeb behaviour and fan teams, and has signalled that tight oversight will proceed.

The Spring Festival interval, also referred to as the Lunar New Year, is one in every of China’s largest holidays and is marked by a week-long vacation.

The CAC mentioned it could deal with cyberbullying and the spreading of on-line rumours, in addition to any on-line behaviours that might be thought of to be displaying off lavish existence, encouraging the worship of cash or superstition.

It will even strictly forestall “illegal and immoral” celebrities from holding any on-line occasions that would assist them make a comeback, it added.

© Thomson Reuters 2022