China to enhance management of audio-visual programs

BEIJING — China's radio and television regulator on Nov 9 asked audio-visual service providers to contain hype over celebrities and crack down on fake audience ratings and click-through rates.

According to a regulation released by the National Radio and Television Administration, paychecks for program guests should be strictly controlled, as part of the administration's efforts to strengthen management.

Some programs have been excessively enticing celebrities with high paychecks, which has destroyed industry order, misled teenagers into being star-struck and bred a culture of money-worshipping, the regulation said.

Radio and television stations, along with online audio-visual service providers, should scrap their vulgar content, promote core socialist values and strictly limit children of celebrities from participating in various entertainment and reality shows, it said.

They have also been told to reduce the broadcasting of game shows, reality shows and singing contests that are joined by celebrities, it noted.

Efforts should be made to strengthen management of data on audience ratings and click-through rates, the regulation said, adding that a task force will be formed to strengthen the crackdown.