Chinese State Media Calls for More Restrictions on Online Games Citing Childhood Addiction
Chinese state media are looking for regulators in the country to improve oversight of online gambling. In the commentary on its website, Chinese state broadcaster China National Radio (CNR) said regulators should have a “zero tolerance” policy towards those who twist history. These remarks are the latest of similar critical articles published in Chinese state media. According to some sources, CNR’s comment is likely to raise fears that the video game industry is next to face regulatory action from Chinese authorities.
One of the articles that caused a sensation in the country this month called online games “spiritual opium” and added that children are becoming addicted. The article also called for more severe restrictions leading to the downfall of shares in Tencent Holdings Ltd as well as other video companies. Shortly after, Tencent announced that it was introducing new restrictions for children to limit the time spent on “Honor of Kings,” which would be the company’s most popular game. In recent months, China has stepped up its crackdown in various sectors.
China draws up ‘blacklist’ of karaoke songs
Meanwhile, China will consult with experts and blacklist karaoke songs that contain “illegal content” in an effort to further restrict the dissemination of harmful information in public entertainment venues, the media reported. Chinese state Global Times, citing the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Announcement on August 10.
The list would comply with the country’s new regulations released by China’s Ministry of Culture on July 26, which will come into effect on October 1. The Communist government led by Xi Jinping said the latest decision on karaoke songs came after some of the songs already banned in the country since 2006 were still used repeatedly in playlists in many places.
The ministry reportedly said that China has more than 100,000 songs in the basic music library accessible to nearly 50,000 singing and entertainment venues, posing a challenge for the government to monitor violations. The expert group for blacklisting karaoke songs is said to be based on China’s regulations on the management of entertainment venues published in 2006.
