List to improve online celebrity behavior issued

A warning list covering improper and inappropriate behavior by celebrities has been released. The list issued on Tuesday by the China Association of Performing Arts' online performance (livestreaming) branch covers 88 celebrities. It includes Chinese-Canadian pop idol Kris Wu, who has been arrested on suspicion of rape, actress Zheng Shuang, who was fined for tax fraud, and actor Zhang Zhehan, who visited Japan's Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 class-A war criminals and is a symbol of past Japanese militarism.

For the first time, celebrities of the performing arts circle are included on the list.

Since the launch of the warning list in 2018, the China Association of Performing Arts has released eight lists, naming a total of 358 online celebrities, according to Qu Tao, secretary-general of the association. All members of the association will boycott celebrities on the lists.

The association says that some celebrities triggered huge public outcry with their illegal activities or improper conduct, which had a negative impact on society, especially on young people.

"Celebrities with a record of illegal activities or misconduct are included on the list since their behaviors have disturbed the order of the internet and triggered public concern," it says.

The association also notes that some celebrities who have been banned due to their illegal or immoral acts always found a way of staying relevant by exploiting loopholes in rules pertaining to livestreaming platforms. Some platforms invited such celebrities to open accounts and allowed them to perform or sell products for profit.

"In recent years, with the development of social media platforms, celebrities within the performing art circle, like singers and actors, launched online activities. Some of them also participated in commercial activities like selling products online," Qu says. "That is why it is necessary to include those celebrities with illegal and unethical behaviors on the list."

On the same day, the Cyberspace Administration of China, China's top internet regulator, also issued a notice about regulations regarding the online presence of celebrities.

"Celebrities who were involved in unethical and illegal behavior will be strictly prevented from reviving their careers," the notice says. "It is for creating a healthy and positive online environment."

The notice issued regulations about celebrities, their agencies and fan clubs. They were divided into six categories, such as performances, commercial activities and charitable works.

It says that some online publicity about celebrities is undisciplined. Gossip and private information have occupied the front pages, headlines and trending topics of some websites, which take up a lot of public resources and can misguide the younger generation.

According to the notice, hyping up celebrities' performances in such areas as drama, music, and even charitable work, are restricted, and information shall be transmitted without any marketing.

Online platforms are required to monitor and establish warning mechanisms for accounts with a certain amount of followers. Accounts and platforms that publish biased or confusing information that provokes confrontations and manipulates public opinion should be punished, according to the notice. Online platforms are also required to monitor and report inappropriate activities.

"Celebrities enjoy fame, attention and high payment. They have millions of fans and their improper behavior can prompt fans to do the same thing and cause social problems," says Zheng Ning, head of the Cultural Industries Management School's law department with Communication University of China, in an article published by China Association of Performing Arts on its WeChat platform on Thursday.

Zheng also says that it is important to regulate celebrities' professional behavior and strengthen their self-discipline so that they have a positive impact on society and promote the healthy development of the performance industry.