China cracks down on violence and misogyny in viral micro dramas

Chinese regulators have launched a two-month campaign to purge violent, misogynistic, and materialistic content from the booming micro-drama industry [1]. The State Administration of Radio and Television ordered inspections to foster a 'clean and healthy' content ecosystem [1]. The campaign targets eight specific content categories, including soft pornography, distorted views on marriage and relationships, and ostentatious displays of wealth [1]. It will also address feudalistic themes, violent revenge plots, and copyright infringement [1]. Provincial authorities are required to conduct spot checks on production firms and mandate prompt rectification of any issues found [1]. Micro-dramas are serialized, mobile-first clips that have grown into a multi-billion dollar global industry, though they are often criticized for sensationalist plots [1]. The regulator, known as the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), is a ministry-level agency controlled by the Chinese Communist Party's Publicity Department [4]. Its directive aligns with a broader state agenda on social values. While the Chinese Communist Party has historically promoted women's liberation, contemporary policies under General Secretary Xi Jinping have encouraged women to 'actively foster a new type of marriage and childbearing culture' and have restricted abortion and divorce [2]. The campaign's focus on 'distorted views on marriage' intersects with these state-led social directives [1][2]. The NRTA stated it will use findings from the inspections to improve its regulations for the industry [1].