CCP’s National Radio and Television Administration Draws Another Red Line

Recently, the Chinese Communist Party‘s (CCP) National Radio and Television Administration and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism jointly issued the “Code of Conduct for Internet Anchors” (hereinafter referred to as “Code of Conduct”).

The “Code of Conduct” is aimed at anchors who provide online performances and audio-visual program services through the Internet, including those who conduct live broadcast on online platforms, real-time exchanges and interactions with users, and audio performances. Even virtual host and content synthesized using artificial intelligence technology are required to refer to this code of conduct.

As the CCP’s 20th National Congress is approaching, it has “strictly controlled” online anchors, and the red line of restrictions on online speech has further increased.

The “Code of Conduct” first “emphasized that network anchors should adhere to the correct political orientation, public opinion orientation and value orientation, as well as actively practicing socialist core values”.

Obviously, the National Radio and Television Administration intends to make the Internet anchors also submissive to the CCP and the authority does not allow any different voices.

The “Code of Conduct” also lists the behaviors that Internet anchors must not appear in the process of providing online performances and audio-visual program services. It is very straightforward to admit that “the bottom line and the red line for the behavior of Internet anchors are drawn.”

On June 3rd, during the live broadcast, the well-known Internet anchor Li Jiaqi was directly cut off because of a cake in the shape of a tank. It has shocked countless netizens and it went viral on the Internet.