Skin-deep beauty yesterday's bloom

The National Radio and Television Administration issued a notice on Thursday vowing to strengthen regulation of cultural and entertainment programs and related personnel.

According to the notice, the radio, television and internet networks under the administration of the NRTA are not allowed to broadcast programs fostering idols, as well as reality and entertainment shows involving the children of celebrities.

These kinds of programs have long been controversial as they are rife with problems. In essence, these programs are the propulsion for the distorted fan economy and the "fan circles" that the investors behind them are eager to manipulate.

The investors pull the strings behind the scenes and let the fans lead the marketing process with the goal of increasing commercial value of program brands and the idols.

The programs cultivating idols show how easy it is for an idol to be created on the basis of their looks rather than talent, and the ability to marshal fans through manipulating the internet and social media.

By targeting the social platforms popular with the younger generation and releasing a large number of small videos showing an idol's daily life, they create a feeling of intimacy, but with the clear objective of turning the younger generation into a cash cow.

In this process, the radio and television stations, internet networks and social media platforms become accomplices of the "capital empire".

More important, through manipulating the mass media the "capital empire" also sways social values and public morality the wrong way.

That said, it is necessary for the administrative departments to slam the brakes on the fan economy and the forming of "fan circles", as there are so many young people falling prey to them, and wasting their lives on the wrong things.

Society should encourage young people to spend more of their time on worthy things, such as art, sports, literature, science and voluntary and community work.

The young people need to follow the right role models, and refrain from indulging in the fast-food culture that emphasizes skin-deep beauty rather than true character.