Immoral entertainment in crosshairs

Recent celebrity misconduct has led authorities to take action

Through a complex combination of exquisite choreography, music videos, and photos－which usually feature them made-up and clad in trendy outfits－celebrities have won the hearts of numerous fans, especially teenagers and young adults.

But behind the glamour, the lucrative entertainment industry has recently stirred controversy with a series of scandals.

Earlier this year, Chinese actress Zheng Shuang came under fire when her ex-husband accused her of abandoning him and their two children, who were born to surrogates in the United States.

Last month, the 30-year-old was fined 299 million yuan ($46.3 million) for tax evasion. This led the Chinese National Radio and Television Administration to announce that all programs she had participated in, including the TV series A Chinese Ghost Story, would be taken off the air. In addition, radio and television broadcasting organizations are banned from featuring Zheng in any of their programs.

Other scandals, including rape accusations against Chinese-Canadian star Kris Wu and Chinese actor Zhang Zhehan's visit to Japan's Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 Class-A convicted war criminals among 2.5 million Japanese war dead from World War II and has long been regarded as a symbol of the past Japanese militarism, also sparked public outrage.

In light of these incidents, the Chinese regulator has been implementing new regulations to curb irregularities in the entertainment sector, with the goal of creating a more wholesome industry.

According to Zhu Kening, president of the China Association of Performing Arts, a new list of moral guidelines issued by the association in February outlines how to deal with individuals involved in scandals and other misconduct.

"The professional quality of entertainers in the industry should be improved. It's important to regulate their professional behavior and strengthen the self-discipline among entertainers so that they have a positive impact on society and promote the healthy development of the performance industry," said Zhu, adding that an ethics committee has been established to monitor and punish scandalous performers.

On Sept 2, the radio and television administration released an eight-point plan to strengthen the management of entertainment programs and related personnel. The plan called for boycotting celebrities who commit illegal or immoral acts, ending sky-high payments for commercial activities and barring irrational idol worship.

The same day, the CAPA urged artists and their agencies to shoulder their social responsibilities. It also encouraged agencies to improve professional ethics.

Further, according to a notice issued by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee on Sept 2, the recent moves against the emerging chaos in China's entertainment industry are meant to create a healthy environment for the growth of both the industry and society.

"Some unprincipled idols have set a bad example for teenagers through illegal acts and misconduct, poisoning the social environment," it noted.

Moreover, entertainment platforms have also been asked to keep a close watch on the content they share, and businesses in the industry have been encouraged to take greater social responsibility, rather than just focusing on profits.

On Aug 30, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued a notice on strengthening the education, management and morality of writers and artists. It pointed out that cases of celebrity misconduct, such as tax evasion and excessively high payments in the film industry, have violated laws and disturbed the industry's order.

"Artists involved in scandals will be banned from all public platforms and will not be allowed to perform publicly," the notice said.

Performers have shown support for the measures.

"The art scene is undergoing a morality crisis, which is not only harmful for the industry, but also hurts audiences. Celebrities have a moral responsibility to be good role models for society," said Xin Baiqing, a veteran actor with the National Theater of China. "We actors have achieved fame thanks to the roles we've played. We should always focus on our art, which is the most important part of our career."

Pipa player Zhao Cong, who is also president of the China National Traditional Orchestra, said: "Music, like many art forms, can have a great impact on people. As musicians, we should be aware of our responsibilities－not only creating high-quality work but also guiding audiences to enjoy great art. We deliver our ideas through music, which should connect with people in a positive way rather than misguiding audiences, especially the young."

Conductor Li Xincao, president of the China National Symphony Orchestra, agreed.

"The job of being a professional artist in different fields like music, dance and theater, is highly respected because it takes years of training, practice and passion. There are many artists I know who deserve to be called real artists, who are totally different from those who may achieve fame overnight. The rapid development of the country's entertainment industry and the popularity of social media platforms are a double-edged sword. We need a clean and positive environment to create and enjoy art."