Popular celebrity Jay Chou sitting as one of the judges on "The Voice of China." (Photo : Twitter)
China's ruling Communist Party warned TV shows not to make state policies the stuff of ridicule, else they will face "severe punishment."
State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television (SAPPRFT) Deputy Director Tian Jin made the warning in an editorial piece published in the Party's official newspaper, the People's Daily.
In his article, Tian said that all media, including print, radio and TV, should follow the Party's line closely and show "unlimited loyalty" to it and the people, the South China Morning Post reported.
Tian singled out television programs that he said focus too much on only hyping trending social topics, ridiculing government policies, and spreading wrongful and extreme views. Tian said the presence of such programs show a lack of discipline by broadcasters in following official propaganda and, thus, should be punished.
The official also lashed out against stations broadcasting shows that are based on foreign copyrights. He accused these shows of promoting Western ideas and values and fermenting a divide in Chinese society.
Following Tian's article, the SAPPRFT released new broadcast guidelines for imported shows. Under the directive, satellite TV channels will now only be allowed to broadcast two shows with imported copyrights per year in the primetime slot from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The programs also need to be approved first by local regulators before broadcast.
Chinese press freedom advocates criticized Tian's statements. Beijing-based civil rights activist Xiang Li called the official's commentaries "ridiculous." Li stressed that freedom of speech is, in fact, enshrined in the Chinese constitution and that everyone has the right and duty to call out the government on faulty policies, Radio Free Asia reported.
Meanwhile, media commentator and veteran journalist Zhu Xinxin said that the directive sent out by the country's media regulator sends a strong message that the body wants to further limit whatever freedom the order still has and reduce it to a mere propaganda machine.
